Charles M. Corcoran

     Charles M. Corcoran, 73, of Sturgeon Bay, died at his home Thursday morning, Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022 after suffering an apparent heart attack getting ready to spend the day together with his family.

     He was born February 14, 1949 in Sturgeon Bay the son of Lawrence and Mary Ann (Allie) Corcoran. Charlie graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School before serving his country in Germany during Vietnam War with the U.S. Army. On August 16, 1969 he married Charlene “Char” E. Rankin. Together they owned and operated Corcoran’s Marine for 41 years. They started in 1980 with nothing and built a successful business that clients from all walks of life trusted and relied on for all their boating needs.

     Charlie was always mechanically inclined and loved spending time teaching those who wanted to learn about motors, engines, and anything mechanical. He had worked for Bertrand’s Sporting Goods when starting out, Quigley Marine in Green Bay, and Macken’s Pontiac. He even worked at Bay Ship to make ends meet when starting his business in 1980. Charlie was patient, good humored, honest and the nicest guy you’d ever meet. He was fair and took time with you, the clock wasn’t always running and that smell of his corn cob pipe was comforting because you knew it was Charlie you were spending time with. Charlie grew up in the era of searching for information through manuals and microfiche, that was his world and he excelled in it. A flip phone was as technical as he preferred to get.

     His stories of the early years growing up in Sturgeon Bay were legendary. Those friends remained lifelong friends he always treasured. His dear friends, Doni and Chum and the many others made up the brain trust who were familiars at the shop and around the vice.

     Survivors include his two children, Todd (Tonya) of Green Bay, Wendy of Sturgeon Bay; two grandsons, Colton and Connor; two brothers, Lawrence Jr. (Kay) Corcoran of Brussels, Pat (Barb) Corcoran of Sturgeon Bay; sister, Kathy Corcoran of Santa Barbara, CA; brother-in-law, Tom Virlee; mother-in-law, Emma Hayot; sister-in-law, Charlotte Lenius of Sturgeon Bay; nieces and nephews.

     Preceding him in death were his parents, Lawrence and Mary Ann Corcoran; wife, Char Corcoran; infant son, Kurt Charles Corcoran; brother-in-law, Dale Lenius; fathers-in-law, Louis Rankin and Auguste Hayot.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with Fr. Ryan Krueger officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

     Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 2, 2022 at Huehns Funeral Home and on Saturday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. A parish wake will be held at 7:45 p.m. Friday at Huehns Funeral Home.

     Memorials may be directed to DOOR CANcer, INC. in his memory.

     “Thank you everyone for loving our dad. He and mom loved all of you who were family, those who needed work done or just stopped at the shop to talk and get advice. You were a huge part of their life. Losing them a little more than a year apart hurts us greatly and  we will miss them both so very much. It is comforting to us that both our parents passed at their home and business that was their life, and with their little dog they loved at their side each time. Thanks for being a part of their life.”  Wendy and Todd

     Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Charles may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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