Obituary of Daniel J. DiCorcia
Daniel J. Di Corcia, 76, passed away on Thursday, October 25 at Willow Springs Rehab and Care Facility in Brick after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Point Pleasant Beach, Dan graduated from Saint Peter Grammar School and in 1961 he graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School. He went on to East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1966. He was a member of the Lamba Chi Alfa fraternity. He was a lifetime communicant of Saint Peter Church, Point Pleasant Beach.
After graduation, Dan served in the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department for many years. He then went on to share his lifelong love of history as a teacher in the Marlboro Township School District. Retiring after thirty years, he enjoyed spending many sun-filled days in Florida making fresh-squeezed orange juice with his grandchildren, and summers back in Point Pleasant with family and friends. Dan enjoyed spending time at Gulf Stream Race Track, and never missed a chance to take his children and grandchildren to Everglades Holiday Park for air-boat rides when they visited.
Dan loved his community of Point Pleasant Beach and was always willing to serve others. To many, Dan Di Corcia will be remembered as the politician who served Point Pleasant Beach longer than any other Democrat with 21 years of service. He even held the distinction of being the longest serving Democrat in Ocean County. Dan's campaign technique was different from most. Every day of the election cycle he'd begin with his fighting words, “hurry up, we've got to start walking” and door-to-door he would go, twice most often. At every home he would tell you who used to live there and a story about them. A “walking” history book, Dan cared more about the town than any other, and Republicans were among his long list of friends.
Dan volunteered throughout his life and took special pride in serving on the Special Needs Children’s Committee at the Elks for many years. Dan's contributions to his community and his legacy are immense. Whether it was going door-to-door to meet his neighbors, or just stopping to talk to anyone who crossed his path, Dan always had time to listen and help. Dan was a friend to all and notably, was a Best Man to six grooms. He liked to say, “I'm here, but I'm not all there.” We are all the better for having had him here and will miss him dearly.
Dan was predeceased by his father, former Point Pleasant Beach Chief of Police, Frank “Lefty” Di Corcia, and by his mother, Betty.
He is survived by his lady and soul mate, Helen Farrell Lewis who, Dan would often say, “loved him like no one has ever loved him before,” who truly saved his life and brought him happiness beyond belief. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lou Herring, a daughter, Desiree Di Corcia and daughter-in-law, Alice, a son, Daniel F. Di Corcia and daughter-in-law, Katie, and four granddaughters, Jetty, Skye, Andi, and Kaia. He is also survived by his uncle, Joseph Pasint and his wife, Cheryl, many cousins and nieces. He is also survived by his former wife, Barbara Di Corcia. Dan is predeceased and survived by many dear friends.
At 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 30, a Memorial Liturgy will be celebrated at Saint Peter R.C. Church, 406 Forman Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Point Pleasant Elks Special Needs Children’s Committee, 820 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, 08742 http://www.pointpleasantelks.org/SNCC.html or to Saint Jude Children's Hospital www.stjude.org