Obituary of Samuel Joseph Corey

Samuel Joseph Corey, Jr., of Lakeville entered into eternal rest surrounded by his family on Saturday, march 19, 2011, at his home. Born October 18, 1929, in Milford, MA, he was the son of the late Angelina D'Amelio and Samuel Joseph Corey, Sr. He is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Jean Ammerman Jaggars Corey. In standing with his Catholic upbringing, Sam made a peaceful Passover from this life into Eternity on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Happy Deaths. He joined the Merchant marines in 1945 and served for one year alongside his uncle, Tony D'Amelio. He then enlisted in the Army Air Force and served in Europe and North Africa. He served with the Occupation Forces, saw some combat in fighting rogue units and participated with the flights to break the Berlin Blockade imposed by Russia. Although World War II had ended, the Peace Treaty had yet to be signed while Sam was serving his country. Sam was ready for discharge when the Korean War broke out; his enlistment was extended by Truman's Presidential Order. An Act of Congress joined the Army Air Force and the Navy Air Force into one unit: the U.S. Air Force. Sam chose to go with the Air Force and he was automatically enlisted in the US Air Force. He received several medals, including Good Conduct, American Defense, National Defense Service Award, Korean Service Award and Sharpshooter Award in the pistol category and Marksmen Award with a U.S. Carbine Cal. 30. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Sergeant in September 1951. In 1953, he moved from Bronx, NY, to Paramus, NJ, where he established Corey's Window Cleaning and Maintenance with his brother Ralph. He also served as Company #1 Fireman in Paramus at various officer levels and as president. Sam served as President of Paramus Rotary Club, President of Paramus Chamber of Commerce and President of Paramus Republican Club. He was a member of Paramus Elks BPOE 2001 and held office of Esteemed Leading Knight. In 1963, he relocated his family to Cherry Ridge, where he continued with community and political service. He became a licensed realtor and had his own construction company. Sam served as deputy sheriff and as a PA State Constable, was on the Cherry Ridge Planning Commission Board and served as Chairman, a Honesdale Rotary member and director, served as a Republican Committeeman and was honored as Wayne County Committeeman of the Year. He was a member of the VFW Post 531, Honesdale. He was owner of several businesses including Treehaven Corporation, Corey Street Apartments and Uncle Sam's Antique Shop. Sam loved flying and he took his first solo flight in April 1964 from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. He owned a 1961 Cessna, aka "Yellow Bird", and belonged to the Paramus Flying Club, c/o Atlantic Aviation. When he moved to Pennsylvania, he continued flying until February 1971 when the roof of the Cherry Ridge Airport hangar collapsed from a snowstorm and destroyed his plane and several others. When he relocated to Lakeville, he continued his dedication to community service by serving as Constable of Paupack Township; he was honored as Constable of the Year by Pennsylvania State Constable Association, held the office of President of the State Constable Association for two years. He served as Paupack Township Republican Committeeman, was actively involved with the Lakeville Fire Company, served as Lakeville Fire Police Chief and was recently honored as a Life Member of the Company for his many years of service to the community. Sam was a member of the Hemlock Hollow School Association, Lakeville Cemetery Association, Antique Car Association and attended the Lakeville United Methodist Church. He was a loving father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend. He was very devoted to his family and particularly enjoyed the pillow fights he had with his grandsons, Kevin and Kyle, and granddaughters, Ashley and Lily. He enjoyed going for ice cream rides win his 1969 Dodge Dart convertible with his daughter Susan, wife Jean and sister-in-law Anna. Sam had a big "sweet tooth" and always had candy at his side, which he gladly shared! He and his brother Ralph would be seen walking in Honesdale, discussing problems of the world and then stopping at one of the local establishments for a cup of coffee and something sweet to eat. The family wishes to thank the entire staff of VNA Hospice Home Health of Olyphant for their compassion, guidance and friendship they provided to Sam and his family during their time of need. They are truly in their debt. To the following, they would like to issue a heartfelt "Thank You" for all that was done for Sam and his family: Pastor Debbie Dailey, Dr. Susan Mowatt and her staff, Alice Marz and the Lakeville Fire Company. Surviving are children: Karen Corey of Raleigh, NC, Ellen Dobson and her husband Donald of Flemington, NJ, Kenneth Corey of Scranton, Debbie Roberts and her husband David of South Canaan, Warren Jaggars Jr. and his wife Margaret of Hawley and Susan Gordon and her husband Ruben of Lakeville; two brothers: Ralph Corey and his wife Mary-Margaret of Cherry Ridge and Daniel Corey and his wife Arlene of Fair Lawn, NJ; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin; a brother, Raymond; and a sister, Ann Pilch and her husband Roman. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 26, at 10:30 AM at Lakeville United Methodist Church with Military Honors at Lakeville Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 AM until the start of the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeville United Methodist Church, 431 Purdytown Tpk., Lakeville, PA 18438, or VNA Hospice and Home Health of Lackawanna County, 301 Delaware Avenue, Olyphant, PA 18447.