John Hubert Corcoran, a husband, a father, a Newton native and resident, lost his life while biking on Monday, September 23, 2024. He was hit by a car while riding on a bike path in Cambridge, killing him instantly. So ends a life that was still spinning vibrantly… and hardly finished.

Born in Boston to Carol Brooks Corcoran of Newton Highlands and Paul Reid Corcoran, Jr. of Cambridge, both deceased, John loved his hometown. He had his roots firmly planted in Boston and his pride seeded in his Irish heritage.

John, along with his three siblings, was raised in West Newton. Following his 1980 graduation from Newton North High School, he went on to Harvard College, graduating cum laude four years later with a bachelor's degree in English. In 1987, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law, where he graduated at the top of his class and collected many academic awards along the way. He took his law degree to Los Angeles, where he worked for eight years at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and in his own law practice before heading back East. In 1997, John received his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was named a Palmer Scholar for his near-perfect GPA. It was at Penn where he met veterinary student Barbara Bower, now his wife of nearly 25 years.

Following his Philly years, John moved to Little Rock, Arkansas to begin his new profession in finance as a research analyst and mutual fund product manager. His accomplished career moved on to Boston, New York, and, briefly, Dallas. After years of working long-distance and travelling home every weekend, John shifted his work home to Boston about five years ago, enabling him to catch up on missed family time with Barb and their children, Jack and Christine.

John loved his family dearly and savored his time with them above all else. The Corcorans reveled in watching movies together in their Waban home. John, who prided himself in his ability to place faces, could recognize even bit actors and recite their filmographies.

He cherished his phone calls with his siblings, Janet Gorman, Phil Corcoran and Clare Bonifant; these became more frequent and lengthier following Covid. To Jack and Christi, John was an incredible, loving counsellor and advisor, and he was so proud that they were continuing his family's legacy at Harvard.

He loved his in-laws immensely and made every family gathering fun and entertaining. As a husband, John was kind, sweet and protective. According to Barb, he loved his little dog Juliet more than any man has ever loved a dog. Many people in Newton and beyond knew him from his long walks with her around the neighborhood and the Chestnut Hill Reservoir.

Travel was particularly important to John, and he relished any opportunity to share the world with his wife and children. He recently visited his 7th continent, Antarctica, on a long-awaited family excursion. In 2024 alone, the Corcorans vacationed on five continents. John's last - and perhaps most meaningful - trip was just a few weeks ago, when he took Jack and Christi to Rome to celebrate their academic achievements in the Classics.

John was an active member of the Parish of the Good Shepherd, where he attended weekly with his family. John served as an usher and as a member of the church's Vestry and Finance Committee.

John's greatest passion was riding his bike. Weather permitting, he rode nearly every day - always on the bike paths, to be safe - into Boston and back. John died on a beautiful day, by the Charles River, enjoying the activity he loved most. Rest in peace, John. We all miss you so much.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 5th, in St. Bernard Church, 1523 Washington St. West Newton followed by interment in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline. Visiting hours are Friday evening from 5-8PM in the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, West Newton.

Donations in his memory can be made to The Parish of the Good Shepherd at:
Donations and Giving | Parish Of The Good Shepherd ( https://office49691.wixsite.com/mysite/donate-online )