NORTH DIGHTON- James L. “Jim” Corey a longtime resident of North Dighton, passed on into the wild blue yonder on February 9, 2010 at the age of 87. He was the son of the late Joseph S. Corey, Sr. & Mary (Souza) Corey. He was the husband of the late Cecelia (Cabral) Corey. He was educated in Dighton schools and was a graduate of the Dighton High class of 1941.
In his early days, he was a farm hand for several local farmers. He was also a pinsetter for the Mt. Hope bowling alleys for a few years. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps for the length of 4 years and 3 months attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Eighteen months of that time was spent in the Eighth Air Force in England under the command of actor Jimmy Stewart. He was Chief Operations Clerk in charge of B-17 Combat crews. His medals were the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal (with clasp), and the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon with six Battle Stars.
After his discharge in October of 1945, he went to work at the Taunton Pearl Works, where he met the girl that was to be his lovely wife of 62 years. Married in Sept. of 1946, they lived in Taunton for 44 yrs. He worked at Swanks in Attleboro for 13 yrs. He then went to work at Reed & Barton for 24 yrs. retiring in July of 1988 at the age of 66. Returned to living in North Dighton in 1990.
He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council 82 and the V.F.W. Post 611. He was an accomplished singer. As a teenager, he sang in the choir at St. Joseph’s Church in No. Dighton, then in the choir of Our Lady of Lourdes for 41 yrs. He returned to St. Joseph’s in No. Dighton before it changed to St. Nicholas of Myra. Over his singing career, he sang for many weddings & funerals. He was also the vocalist and upright bass player for two different bands, the Three Chords for 4 yrs. and the Rythmaires for 34 yrs., the latter group played at the Double 12 for 27 yrs. He was also a volunteer singer for patients at the Transitional Care Unit of Morton Hospital for about l0 yrs.
He was the loving father of Theresa “Terry” Matteson and her husband Kevin of Taunton and the late Carolyn DeMoura, survived by her husband Edward DeMoura of No. Dighton. Grandfather of Amanda Emond and her husband Chris of No. Dighton & Joshua Matteson of Fall River and Amy & Sarah Matteson of Taunton. Great Grandfather of Thomas, Jordan & Christopher Emond of No. Dighton and Timothy, Elizabeth & Abigail of Taunton. Brother of Mary T. Bleau and her husband Conrad of Modesto, CA. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by siblings Joseph S. Corey, Jr., Evelyn Luiz, Edward A. Corey & Ernest A. Corey.
His funeral will be held from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway on Tuesday, Feb. 16th at 10 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at St. Anthony Church at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the MA National VA Cemetery in Bourne. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Calling Hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday, Feb. 15th from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 400, Waltham, MA 02451. www.silvafuneralhome.com.