Joseph Roland Corbin, 94, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at South Georgia Medical Center. Mr. Corbin was born in Lowell, MA, to the late Phillipe & Laurenza Corbin, the second of three boys and one girl. Growing up, Joe learned to love hard work at an early age, starting at age seven shining shoes, then working at the family diner which was named "Sea Biscuit", and continuing throughout his teen years. In the early 1940's Joe prepared to attend his first dance, where he laid eyes on the most beautiful young woman he had ever seen. Her name was Agnes. Their romance soon budded, but was interrupted by World War II. Joe was drafted into the United States Army and would fight with the 79th Division, Company H, 393th Infantry in the Europe. To enter the war, his division landed at Omaha Beach on D Day, +4 and they would continue to fight through France into Germany. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and to the Rhine River and was wounded twice before returning home in 1945. In addition to the Purple Heart, he was awarded the Bronze Star and was decorated by France. Following the war, Joe renewed his courtship with Agnes, having sent her postcards throughout his time in Europe. They were married one month later on November 22, 1945. They were best friends, and celebrated 69 years of marriage prior to her death in 2015. After the war, he continued his habit of hard work and eventually retired from Hewlett Packard in 1984. Throughout his life, Joe was very patriotic. Joe celebrated the freedom of America, from painting eagles on his favorite car, to participating in the first Honor Flight from Valdosta to visit the WW II Memorial in Washington, to attending the 70th Anniversary Celebration of D-Day in Virginia with his sons. A lifelong Catholic by faith, he was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Joe is loved by all for his smile and sweet disposition and was known for his ability to spread joy to everyone around him.
Survivors include two daughters and sons in law, Elaine & Chris Keener, of Valdosta, and Jeannie & Steve Skiffington of East Amherst, NY; two sons and daughters in law, Michael & Yvonne Corbin of Weston, FL, Robert & Maryjane Corbin of Estero, FL., eight grandchildren, David Keener, of Denver, CO, Alison (Ryan) Francis of Suwanee, GA, Stephen (Emily) Keener of Okinawa, Japan, Kacey (Timothy) Foust of Casselberry, FL, Douglas (Kelly) Corbin of Plantation, FL, Lisa (John) Warner of Nashua, NH, Joel (Danielle) Coursey of Galena, OH and Christine (Brett) Walker of Williamsville, NY. Also surviving is his brother Joseph Henry Corbin and six great grandchildren (plus one), Lillian Corbin, Aidan & Graham Coursey, Jacob, Alec & Riley Walker, and baby Francis is due in February. Mr. Corbin is preceded in death by his wife Agnes Corbin, a brother Edmund Corbin and a sister Doris Grochmal. The family would like to send a special thank you to everyone at the Fellowship Home for their unconditional love and compassion for the elderly. Their kindness is much appreciated by the family.
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Corbin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Father Brian LaBurt will officiate. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Fellowship Home, 470 Fellowship Home Lane, Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home
Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602
McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens
McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens
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