Bruce Corkrey

Gorham – Bruce Corkrey, 89, formerly of Whitney Avenue in Portland, died Tuesday, 26 August 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family.

Bruce was born in Portland on 30 June 1936, son of Lester and Irene (Levesque) Corkrey. He graduated from Cheverus High School, and married the love of his life, Frances, on 27 August 1960. Bruce was a proud Navy veteran, serving his country during the Vietnam War.  He was one of the last surviving crew members of the USS Tills.  Bruce had a wonderfully storied career, spanning long shore, Merchant Marine (where he especially enjoyed travelling to Japan), the Navy, Maine Central Railroad (freight clerk, Tower PT operator, and Yardmaster), St. Patrick’s Church, St. Patrick’s school (where he treated the school and the students like his second home and family); and selling lobsters with Tyler, Spencer, Jameson, Mike and Bill. Bruce was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church, including coaching basketball for St. Patrick’s School and the CYO, and organizing church bazaars and other events.

Bruce was larger than life.  He always put his family and many close friends before anything else.  Bruce loved gathering with his family and friends, and spending time with his grandchildren, Caitlyn and Jameson; his great grandson, Fynn; and his nephews, Tyler, Spencer, and Jason.  He enjoyed making wooden toys and boats for the children.  Bruce was a kid at heart – he had tea parties with his young daughters, played football in the street, played console games, and was always up for a game of cards.  Bruce also loved family dinners, gardening with his family, and watching the kids’ sporting events.  He loved people – Everyone seemed to know Bruce.  He had great friends – close friends, lasting relationships with students at St. Patrick’s school, railroad coworkers, his shipmates, his neighbors, and even his lobster customers.  He enjoyed his many vacations to California and Connecticut, trips to Washington DC with the Veterans, and one legendary vacation in Grand Lake Stream.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Frances; his daughters, Lisa and husband Steven of Colchester, CT, Jean Marie Corkrey of Westbrook; son, Jeffrey Corkrey and husband Paul Rosenkranz of Irvine, CA; granddaughter, Caitlyn Algieri and husband Michael, and their son Fynn of Westbrook; grandson, Jameson Waldron and longtime girlfriend Shania McCorrison of Westbrook; sisters, Linda West and husband Donald, Judy Giovani and husband David; sister-in-law, Roberta Gagnon; and many close nephews and nieces.

Bruce was predeceased by his brothers, Ronald Corkrey and his wife Kay, Dennis Corkrey and wife Beverly; sisters, Marlene Manoogian and husband Archie, and Elaine Connolly; nephews, Jason Gagnon and Dana Manoogian; sisters-in-law, Helen Smith and husband Harry, Phyllis Cooke and husband Richard; and Joan Noble and husband James.

The family would like to thank his support group at the Vets Center, the staff of Gorham Fire and Rescue, Portland Veterans Administration, Maine Medical Center, Northern Light Homecare and Hospice (especially Nicole, Jen, Jenny, and Cheryl), Hospice of Southern Maine, and the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their exceptional care and compassion.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, from 5-7pm, at Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:45am on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at St. Anne’s Church, 299 Main Street, Gorham. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bruce’s name to St. Jude’s Hospital, stjude.org, in lieu of flowers.