Leo M. Corkery

Leo M. Corkery, 80, died Jan. 3, 2011 in New Bern, N.C.

He was born in Jamestown, NY on Feb. 7, 1930, to Leo M. Corkery, Sr. and Rose Hart Corkery.

He was a former member of Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, a graduate of Jamestown High School and a graduate of Saint Bonaventure University, where he was an All-American basketball player.

He went on to play in the NBA for the Fort Wayne Pistons. He is a member of the Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame. Leo served his country in the U.S. Army, and he was employed with IBM for 30 years and was a long-time resident of Bethel, Conn., before retiring to New Bern, N.C.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marlene Garfield Corkery; one son, Michael P. Corkery (Alison) of Reston, Va.; one daughter, Bridget M. Corkery of Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters: Mary Louise Corkery and Anne C. Seekins, both of Jamestown, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Hailey and Chloe Corkery, both of Reston, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at St. Paul Catholic Church in New Bern, N.C. A burial service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Jamestown at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Paul Catholic School 3007 Country Club Road, New Bern, N.C. 28562.