Edward Corcoran

ASTORIA, Ore. / MADISON, Wis. - Edward J. Corcoran died on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, at the home of his son in Astoria, Ore. Ed was born in Chicago, Ill., on March 15, 1935, the son of James William and Violet Elizabeth (Hanselman) Corcoran. Ed grew up in the Wells Park neighborhood of Chicago among extended family including paternal aunts, Josephine (Lomax) and Loretta (Roberts); and maternal uncles, Edward and Robert Hanselman. Ed attended Queen of Angels Grade School, and graduated in 1953 from St. George High School in Evanston, Ill.

Ed was accepted into Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. While attending Marquette, Ed met Mary Boehmer a student attending the nearby St. Mary’s School of Nursing. They fell in love, and did not part until death.

Ed received his draft notice while taking his final exams in January of 1958, he entered the U.S. Army in February, and married Mary that August, in Fort Hood, Texas. Ed deployed to Germany in October, on his way to becoming a veteran of the Cold War Era.

Mary followed in December. The newlyweds established their first home together at Christmastime in a tiny apartment in the village of Bad Nauheim, Germany. They travelled, as duties allowed, and built friendships among other young military couples-some becoming life-long friends. That early experience sparked a lifelong interest in travel and culture.

In 1960, the Corcoran’s returned to the U.S. settling in Saint Paul, Minn. Ed worked his way through graduate school at the College of St. Thomas receiving his M.A. in School Administration. In February of 1961, Mary gave birth to their son, Patrick. Ed took a position in the Personnel Office for the City of Saint Paul, Minn. In June 1964, their daughter, Bridget, was born. In September 1964, Ed was appointed Personnel Director at Southern Wisconsin Colony and Training School in Union Grove, Wis. The young family moved briefly to Sturtevant, Wis.

In December 1966, Ed accepted the position as Employment Manager at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The family moved to Madison Thanksgiving weekend 1967. The family was settled, with Mary now working as an RN at UW Student Health. The kids enjoyed the new neighborhood. Sadly, Bridget was diagnosed with leukemia and died in 1970. Thanks to support from doctors, nurses, and staff at UW Children’s Hospital the Corcoran’s pulled through these sad and trying circumstances. Thanks to sustained research, Bridget’s form of leukemia is now treatable and with good outcomes.

Ed, Mary, and Pat moved to Arbor Hills--also with good outcomes. Neighborhood friendships on Derby Down were rich and long-lasting. Ed volunteered Pat to build and maintain the ice-skating rink for a few years, but both were happy when the City of Madison took over that dark and frigid task. Ed much preferred tailgating at Badgers football home games where he and Mary maintained season tickets for decades.

Ed’s career evolved with the emerging field of labor relations. Despite the sometimes-adversarial nature of the work, Ed was regarded a fair negotiator among parties. During his career he received many awards, and served in leadership roles at the state and national level. In 1997, Ed retired from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as Employment Relations Manager.

Ed did not retire from the UW Men’s Golf League--which he joined in 1972. The golf was too fun, and the friendships were too dear. Ed played through the 2022 season with his friend and golf partner of 50 years, Steve Eisele.

After his retirement, Ed and Mary moved to Middleton and enjoyed new friendships among neighbors on Rooster Run. They travelled widely, visited friends, and supported family. Ed and Mary joyfully celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008.

Winter vacations to Orange Beach, Ala., became longer, and soon Ed and Mary were snowbirds. They both enjoyed the seasonal community of new friends and the warmer winters. Ed clearly preferred wintertime golf-links to ice-rinks.

Mary died in 2017 after a brief illness. In 2020, Patrick retired and returned to Middleton. Ed and Pat enjoyed the next three years keeping an eye on each other, visiting family, and going on mini adventures. In August 2022, Ed and Pat travelled to his home on the Oregon coast where Ed passed away peacefully.

Ed is survived by his son, Patrick of Astoria, Ore.; cousins, Robert and Donna Hanselman, William Hanselman, Thomas Hanselman and Barbara (Soden) Hanselman; in-laws, Jackie Neumaier, John Neumaier, Virginia and Richard Diehl, Joseph and Marjie Neumaier, and Jean and Kevin Bottlefson; and their families.

Ed and Mary were members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. They were greatly supported in their faith by Pastor Bart Timmerman, Pastoral Associate Erik Gyr, and Director of Music Ministries Greg Buchberger. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
 

Gifts may be made to American Family Children’s Hospital in memory of Bridget Corcoran. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761