CAMDEN — Dan Corcoran was born on August 25, 1923 in Milton Massachusetts. He died on April 13, peacefully in his sleep at the age of 95.

Like many men his age, he anxiously joined the service as a young man and served in the Navy on the USS Omar Bundy.

Dan spent his later years in Thomaston and although his devout interest in Catholicism early in life led him to the seminary, an illness landed him in the hospital, where his interest in a certain nurse steered him away from that career. 

He married that wonderful woman, Jacqueline, and together, they set out on a journey together that would include five children, many grandchildren, and a bunch more great grandchildren. 

He lost Jacqueline in 1999, and mysteriously held on to his own life until the exact day of the 20th anniversary of her passing, April 13.

Dan received his masters degree at Loyola College in Baltimore and became an elementary school principal with the Maryland school system. He retired to Maine, and worked with the Catholic diocese in the parish outreach program, coordinating activities for the Catholic Charities in local churches. He wrote regularly in the parish bulletin, and that commitment inspired him to write and publish a book, The Potter and His Earthen Vessel, a culmination of twenty-five years of research on the history of the Catholic Priesthood.

Private and reserved, it was often difficult to know what Dan was thinking, but it was always obvious that he got great joy when surrounded by his grandchildren, and later his great grandchildren. He was steadfast with his faith and principal, no matter what the consequence. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, even if that left him with none. A selfless caregiver, Dan stayed true to himself to the end. 

If you could reach inside his soul, you would know he would want to be remembered as an advocate of St. Francis. That message will be etched in the stone at his grave site, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family in Hope Grove Cemetery in Hope. 

Memorial gifts may be made in his memory to Coastal Opportunities, 35 Limerock Street, Camden, ME 04843. 

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. 

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.