Leo Corcoran died at his home in Milton on April 12.
Mr. Corcoran was born and raised in Dorchester. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he returned to Boston where he worked as a firefighter for several years.
In the early 1960s, he joined his brother, John, as a partner in the John M. Corcoran & Co. Together, Leo and his brother built the privately held company into a leading developer, owner and manager of apartment communities in New England and the southeastern United States.
In 1985, responding to a record number of homeless people needing safe and affordable housing, and by utilizing his years of real estate expertise, he founded Caritas Communities, a nonprofit organization. His vision, leadership and compassion to make a difference in the lives of others revitalized the concept of lodging houses with properties providing housing for men and women with low-income jobs. Caritas will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year and remains one of Greater Boston’s largest nonprofit owners of lodging houses with properties providing housing for men and women with low income jobs.
He and his wife of 57 years, Helen A. (Scanlon) Corcoran, have been significant supporters of many philanthropic endeavors in the fields of education, healthcare, and social services including Boston College, Suffolk University, Emmanuel College, Elizabeth Seton Academy, Catholic Charities, Father Bill’s Place, St. Mary’s Women’s and Children, and Sisters of Charity, Halifax. However, the help he gave to so many in a private manner were the dearest to his heart.
Mr. Corcoran dedicated his life to building relationships based on his deep faith and his extraordinary humanitarian spirit. He and his wife have been an inspiration to their five sons, grandchildren, family and numerous friends.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Jack Corcoran and his wife, Katie, Joe Corcoran and his wife, Mary, Frank Corcoran and his wife, Ginny, Tim Corcoran and his wife, Susan, all of Milton, and Leo Corcoran his wife, Sara, of Boston; his siblings, Claire Carten, Bernadette Richards, Frances Richer and Joseph Corcoran, all of Milton, He is also survived by his grandchildren, John, Kathleen, Mary, Helen, Tim, Brendan, Grace, Leo, Maggie, Jenna, Ryan and Caroline Corcoran.
He was the brother of the late Mary Corcoran, Sister Theresa Corcoran and John M. Corcoran.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Elizabeth Church on April 16.
Donations may be made to Caritas Communities Inc., 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 206, Braintree, MA 02184.
Arrangements were by the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home.