James R. McCorkle, "Jim," age 90, of Englewood, FL, formerly of Lakeville, Brockton and Avon, MA, passed away peacefully at home on February 4, 2026.  He was the husband of the late Barbara M. (Chaput) (Stanley) McCorkle for 62 years.  Born in Roxbury, MA, he was the son of the late James McCorkle and Gertrude (Curry) McCorkle (Mazzeo), and stepson of the late Anthony Mazzeo.

 

At the age of 18, in 1954, Mr. McCorkle joined the U.S. Navy. He trained in the state of IL for two years prior to serving on board the U.S.S. Hazelwood in 1956.  Following his two years of service on board the ship, he transferred to the Navy Reserves and performed his duties at the U.S. Naval Station in Newport, RI.  His last date of service was in May of 1962, when he honorably received a National Defense Service Medal.  In the last few weeks of his life he was honored once again for his service with a pinning ceremony and a Certificate of Appreciation by The Tidewell Honors Veteran Program.

 

Mr. McCorkle met his future wife, Barbara, at the age of 23, while working together at Randy's Boatshu in Randolph, MA, and he was instantly smitten. He was tall, dark and handsome, but shy and quiet, and she was a young, outgoing widow with five (5) young boys at home. This did not deter him or their love story. Their relationship blossomed and they married the following year on August 9, 1959. In Septemer of 1960, they welcomed their son, Michael, and in 1963, their son, James (Jay), extending their family. The McCorkles initially made their home in Avon, MA,  moved to Brockton, MA  in the mid 1960's, and then finally settled in Lakeville, MA  in 1977.

 

Involved in the Real Estate business for many years, Mr. McCorkle represented many satisfied buyers and sellers, always dedicated to their needs. He also owned and managed income property buildings in the Brockton, MA area. In his mid thirties, he joined the team at United Parcel Service (UPS), where his initial duties were to deliver packages.  He discovered he liked being on the road and soon was driving tandem double trailers overnight crossing many state lines.

 

When he decided to retire from UPS at age 55, this allowed him time to travel with his wife. They just loved visiting new places! They enjoyed river cruises and many trips around the country and the world, including Australia, China, Russia, Italy and Ireland, which they both loved. Mostly, they enjoyed visiting with family, their children, grandchildren and so many friends, as those moments together were precious to them.

 

In 1995, Mr. McCorkle and his wife bought a double wide trailer in Florida and enjoyed the lifestyle there. They soon found their new dream home in the Rotonda West area. They enjoyed country music and were enthusiastic dancers, especially line dancing at the Elks Lodge in Englewood, where he was also a chaplain.  You could usually find them kicking up their heels on the dance floor at least once a week. Mr. McCorkle was also  a member of the Knights of Columbus, and both he and his wife were active at their local parish, St. Francis of Assisi, where they both served as Eucharistic ministers.

 

He was a very calm, quiet presence in the family, a good listener, and always the one to offer sound advice. He learned to cook with his new air fryer following the death of his wife in 2022, and though he suffered with macular degeneration in recent years, he received additional help from his devoted caretakers. They kept him young, active, happy, healthy, loved and well fed -  for he was known for having an excellent appetite. He was the best Dad, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He was the voice of reason in the family, a good friend, and all who knew him, loved him.

 

He is survived by his sons, James (Jay) R. McCorkle (Michele (Grieco) (Wind) McCorkle), Russell R. Stanley (RuthAnn (Martin) Stanley), his daughters-in-law, Karen (Solomita) Stanley (late Jimmy),  Patricia (Carbone) Stanley (late Joseph), Sandra (Rubino) (Ashmont) Stanley  (late Edward), and Christine (Leazott) Stanley (late Raymond).  Also survived by his sisters-in-law, Shirley (Chaput) Blackley (late Gordon) and Victoria (Chaput) Jean (David), and brothers -in-law, Russell Chaput (late Louise) and Anthony Bonome (late Beverly). He is survived by his twelve (12) grandchildren, twenty-six (26) great-grandchildren, cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, wonderful neighbors and friends - including his three (3) caretakers whom he adored - Jennifer (Jenny ) Davis, Susan Wheat Ricci and Sabrina Boles Alaniz.

 

Mr. McCorkle was pre-deceased by the love of his life, Barbara, sons Michael J. McCorkle, James (Jimmy) R. Stanley, Joseph (Joe) S. Stanley, Edward (Eddie) R. Stanley, Raymond T. Stanley, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Liz) (Carbone) Stanley, as well as his brothers-in-law, Richard (Dick) Chaput (and wife, Marie ), and Robert (Bob) Chaput (and wife, Joyce). He was also the brother of his two loving sisters, the late Joan McCorkle MacGillivary and Beverly McCorkle Bonome.

 

Visiting hours will be held at the Englewood Community Funeral Home on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grove City, FL  (near Englewood),  at 9:30 AM. Entombment will follow at the Venice Memorial Garden Cemetery in Venice, FL.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the following:

Macular Degeneration Association

5969 Cattleridge Blvd

Suite 100

Sarasota, FL 34232