Robert F. Corcoran, at 78

Robert F. Corcoran – known to so many simply as Bob – was born on February 20, 1947, to John and Helen Corcoran. He was the youngest of four and is now reunited with his sister, Joan Cellini, and brothers Jack and David.

Mr. Corcoran, who passed away on June 23, 2025 at age 78, is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara Corcoran, with whom he shared a life full of love, laughter, and deep partnership. He embraced Barbara’s family as his own – loving Jeff and his wife, Beth, and their children Caitlyn and Colin, and Jennifer and her husband, Jarod, and their daughters Eden and Emma – with warmth, pride, and unwavering support.

He also leaves behind a large and loving extended family: his niece Kathleen Wasik, her husband Alan, their children Greg and Wendy, and grandchildren Anna Belle and Brayden; John and Brittany, and their children Olivia and Liam; his nephew Mark Cellini, wife Andrea, and their children, Alaina and her husband, Meredith, George, and Mark Henry. He held a special place in his heart for his dear friend John Capellupo, his wife Maureen Gillis, and John’s children, as well as his cherished niece and nephews Diana, Vinny, and Christopher.

Mr. Corcoran dedicated his life to service, education, and community. In 1970, he began what would become a remarkable 35-year journey at Hull High School, first as a chemistry and science teacher, and later as vice principal. He wasn’t just an educator – he was a mentor, a motivator, and often, a second father to generations of students. His classroom extended far beyond four walls; he was the heart of student life.

He led with quiet determination and big-heartedness, running clubs like the Hull Ecology Action League (HEAL), the photography club, and the chess club, always encouraging students to explore their curiosity and creativity.

But perhaps nowhere did Mr. Corcoran’s light shine more brightly than through his beloved Marching Pirates. Starting in the early 1970s, he helped guide what would become a nationally celebrated music and performance group. With passion and precision, he directed Odyssey, a stage band that sparked local excitement. He helped form the Marching Pirates band and color guard in 1975, leading them through memorable moments, including a nine-day Bicentennial tour in 1976 with performances at the Statue of Liberty and the White House, a grand appearance at the 1978 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, and winning three International Musical Festival championships in Montreal in 1983.

Through it all, Mr. Corcoran inspired excellence. Under his direction, the Marching Pirates earned more than 400 first-place trophies and brought pride to Hull as they performed across the country.

Even after retiring in 2005, Mr. Corcoran couldn’t stay away from the classroom. He continued to teach science at St. Agatha’s in Milton and St. Paul’s in Hingham, always driven by his deep love of learning and a desire to pass that love along.

Summers found Mr. Corcoran near the water, working as a dockmaster at Spinnaker Island Yacht Club and the Boston Harbor Hotel, where he cherished the rhythms of the sea and the conversations with old friends and new.

For more than 50 years, Mr. Corcoran honored veterans by playing “Taps” during Memorial Day and Veterans Day services – one of the many quiet ways he gave back, year after year.

He also revived Drums by the Sea, another example of how he never stopped working to bring people together through music, tradition, and community spirit.

Bob Corcoran’s legacy is measured not just in the trophies won or the years served, but in the lives he touched. He was a man of dignity, warmth, and quiet strength. He gave of himself freely and expected little in return. To know Mr. Corcoran was to know someone who truly cared –about his students, his family, his town, and his country.

His loss leaves a hole in the heart of Hull and in the many hearts of those who loved him.

He will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always cherished.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Saturday, June 28, from 5-8 p.m. in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main St. (Route 18), South Weymouth.

His funeral service will be celebrated on Sunday, June 29, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Cremation will follow. Mr. Corcoran will be interred privately in Hull Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Mr. Corcoran’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting www.alz.org.

Visit www.keohane.com for online condolences.