James Corcoran

Age 90, of Hopkins, MN, formerly of Santa Barbara, CA, passed away November 22, 2010 after a struggle with cancer. As a boy growing up in Bloomington, MN he enjoyed park baseball and model airplanes. He graduated in engineering with honors from the University of Minnesota in 1944. He served with the U.S. Army, Army Corps of Engineers in Japan. Moving west to southern California, he began working in the aircraft industry. There he met Alice Bee. They were married in September, 1950 and raised a family of one daughter and three sons. In the late 1940's, 1950's and 1960's he worked as an aeronautical engineer with North American Aviation, Northrop Aircraft Co. and Ryan Aeronautical Co. He enjoyed recording American music and membership in a tapesponding club trading music in different parts of the world. He retired in the 1970's and had his own products and sales booth at the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show. He loved to stay fit by swimming and hiking at local beaches. In 2004 he returned to Hopkins, MN and lived at the St. Therese Apartments until his death. His many interests included music, modern art, building picture frames, photography, reading, gardening and going to museums. He continued to stay active by biking and swimming. He also enjoyed visits with his children, grandchildren and friends. He will be greatly missed by family and friends in Minneapolis and many other places. He is survived by his daughter, Grace Thedinga of NY; sons, James of NY, Michael and Brian of AK; grandsons, Blake and Hans Thedinga of AK; Mrs. Alice Corcoran of NY; and companion Wanda Rauma of MN. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Minneapolis.


Bradshaw


3131 Minnehaha Avenue South


612-724-3621