Thomas H. Corkery

GORHAM - Thomas H. Corkery passed away Sunday, January 18, 2015, at the Monarch Center in Saco, Maine, after a long illness. Tom was born in Westbrook, Maine, on October 21, 1935, to Herbert T. and Mildred (Robinson) Corkery. He attended Westbrook schools, and joined the United States Air Force in 1953. He served for 22 years, beginning as an Airman working on aircraft maintenance, and ending in 1975 as a Master Sergeant in maintenance analysis with the Strategic Air Command. He was stationed at a variety of Air Force bases throughout the United States, including Dover AFB in Delaware, Hunter AFB in Savannah, Georgia; Homestead AFB in Florida; Westover AFB in Massachusetts; Eielson AFB near Fairbanks, Alaska; and Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. During the year 1957-58 he served at the Air Force installation near Dammam, Saudi Arabia. His time at Homestead AFB in southern Florida was marked by the tense Cuban Missile Crisis. On receiving his orders to go to Alaska, he and his first wife, Betty, and their three children, drove from Massachusetts across all of Canada, up the Al-Can Highway, to Fairbanks in 15 days. Tom was a member of the Elks Club in Portland, Maine; and the American Legion, Post 197, Westbrook. His interests included billiards, music, fishing and boating, woodworking, genealogy, history, taking care of his home, and keeping up with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through Facebook and the old-fashioned telephone. Tom was predeceased by his parents, his son Michael H. Corkery, great-granddaughter Alyssa Phillips, brothers Donald West, Stanley Casey, Richard Casey, and sister Maxine Kirin. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Ellen (Martel) Corkery; his beloved daughters Anne Marie Phillips and her husband Steve, and Christine Lynne Johnson and her husband William Johnson, all of Fairbanks, Alaska; brother David R. Corkery and his wife Martha of Brunswick; sister Melvina Berry of Hermon; grandchildren Travis Corkery of Chugiak, Alysha Corkery Anderson and husband Ian of Anchorage, and Kevin Phillips and wife Amber of Wasilla, Alaska, Bonny Johnson Ward and husband Charles of New Orleans, Louisiana, Skye Phillips Boyechko and husband Philip of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kyle Phillips, Carli Johnson Skinner and husband Ryan, and Summit Johnson of Fairbanks, Alaska, and their families. He will be remembered by ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Tomâ€™s family wishes to thank the staff of the Monarch Center and of Life Choice Hospice for their loving care in his final year. Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 7 PM Friday followed by a memorial service at 7 PM at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. Interment will be in the spring. On line condolences may be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com.

Thomas H. Corkery

October 21, 1933 - January 18, 2015

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