Joseph (Joe) Corcoran, 89, formerly of Hillsborough, NH, a long- time resident of Francestown, NH, North Andover and Burlington, MA, passed away on July 9th, 2025.  Joe was born on September 7th, 1935, and lived much of his childhood in Somerville, MA. He moved to Burlington when he married his former wife, Catherine McLellan Corcoran. Joe joins his parents, Mary and John Corcoran and his sister Rita Harney, and leaves behind his loving sister Mary Lazar of Los Angeles, CA and his cousin / brother Bob Viera of Burlington, MA.  Joe also left behind children and grandchildren who will feel his loss.

Joe served in the Navy after high school.  He graduated from Boston College and received a graduate degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Joe was an accomplished jazz musician, a professional drummer.  Passionate about music, he was also known to play the piano, vibes and harmonica. He played in various bands his entire life, well into his 80s. Joe was a teacher, educating grade school students in Math, English and Music.  He also taught Small Business classes at Salem State College and Middlesex Community College in later years. Joe valued entrepreneurship; he owned a Dunkin Donuts and Carvel Ice Cream franchise in between his teaching roles.

Joe was devoted to his many hobbies and interests.  He loved skiing and was a ski coach who always searched for the ideal "racing form".  He lived for many years at the base of Crotched Mountain.  He also enjoyed woodworking, making and refinishing furniture.  He specialized in creating lovely, albeit incredibly heavy pieces.  The sound of a bandsaw and the smell of sawdust are associated with many memories of Joe.  He collected antiques, knew a little bit about each one and enjoyed attending auctions and getting a "score".  His collections knew no bounds and were very important to him. He wrote poems and songs for friends and family members; some we still know by heart.  Most were given as gifts and nearly everyone he cared about had a poem written specifically for them.  He was proud of his poems, and particular about how they were read, noting the speaker needed proper intonation and timing. "No, you say it like this and you pause here".  He took pride in writing in general.  To him, diction, grammar and syntax was as important as content.  Vocabulary, creative and impressive vocabulary, also used with the proper intonation and timing, was part of his everyday conversations.  He peppered sophisticated words into any sentence with a pause and a raised eyebrow for impact.  I am relieved he can't edit this obituary as he would certainly correct my many errors (although I am sure his former in-laws, who share his love of grammar will assist in his absence).  Joe loved animals.  In particular, he loved dogs, but all animals were important to him (even cats in later years).  His love of Blackie, Pablo, Muffy (Muffet Louise), Jasper and Willy were known to all.  Joe went everywhere with his dogs; leashes and obedience training were never important.

Joe always had a dream; he always had a project.  He often focused his energies on building and creating, whether it be new plans for a house, an addition or re-vamping a space.  His projects were rarely complete; he always had a change in mind that would preoccupy his thoughts.  Each home Joe built or worked on reflected a stage in his life:  the addition he designed for his growing new family in Burlington, the turbulent mid-life years of unrest reflected in his designing and building a home in North Andover, the pursuit of his personal dream by building a "Scott Jenkins" post and beam home in Francestown, and at 85, his final act of age defiance by building his home in Hillsborough.  Joe did what he wanted. It wasn't always reasonable; he played to his own drum.

In many ways Joe lived a Peter Pan existence.  He was cared for by many throughout his years.  When he was happy, all around him would feel his joy and he could make people feel special. He had charisma.  Joe's family life was complicated.  His strong will and many interests guided his journey, a path that he carved for himself.  He left a mark on all who knew him and will be missed by so many.  May his spirit be free and may he rest in peace.

There are no public services planned to honor Joe in repose.  He hated them.  For those that would like to honor his memory, donations can be made to:

Pope Memorial, SPCA

94 Silk Farm Road, Concord NH 03301

www.pmspca.org