Obituary of Richard F. Corson

Richard F. “Unk” Corson Olean, NY Richard F. “Unk” Corson, of 213 N. 12th St., passed away Saturday (June 10, 2023) at Olean General Hospital. Richard was born in Olean on December 10, 1929 to Richard and Margaret Lundy Corson. He attended Olean schools, graduating from Olean High School in 1948. In 1950 he enlisted in the US Army and served in Germany during the Korean War prior to his honorable discharge in 1952. Richard began working for the New York Telephone Company in 1947 and retired from there in 1982 after 35 years of service. It was at work that he met the love of his life, Shirley Hatzell, of Allegany, whom he married on August 16, 1958 at St. Bonaventure Church, Allegany. He was a member of the parish of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels for 65 years. He served as an usher for over forty years and was also an enthusiastic member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a devout Catholic and a generous donor to many Catholic missions and ministries. Throughout his retirement, Richard and his wife Shirley owned and maintained several rental properties. They cared for their tenants like family. For hobbies and leisure-time pursuits, Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and watching and feeding all of God’s creatures; birds and animals that flocked to his home where they received his gentle, welcoming assistance. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife for winters in Florida for over 30 years. He enjoyed many close relationships with family, friends, and neighbors. Richard was truly a good neighbor; helping others with support and resources, and especially with his remarkable and unique sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his wife of nearly 65 years, Shirley; his brother Charles W. (Joan) Corson of Olean, and many nieces and nephews. He adored his dog, “Billy-Bob”. He was predeceased by 6 sisters, Geraldine Wenke, Mary Linehan, Norma Rickicke, Eileen Corson, Kathleen Wenke, and Violet Butler. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean, during which time a wake service will be held. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday (June 15, 2023) at 10am in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Richard’s nephew, Deacon Matt Wenke, will deliver the homily. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery with full military honors being accorded by the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team. In his memory, friends are encouraged to continue Richard’s tradition of donating with a generous heart as he so often did to a charitable cause of your choosing.