Father Clifton J. Corcoran

Clifton Joseph Patrick Corcoran was born June 23, 1917 in the Bronx, the son of Patrick R. and Elizabeth Greene Corcoran. He graduated from Quincy High School in Quincy, Mass. In 1935.  After serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, Corcoran attended Our Lady Seminary College in Northeaston, Mass and St. Meinrad College as well as Theology School in St. Meinrad, Ind. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1954 by Bishop Eric McKenzie in Newton, Mass and celebrated his first mass on the Feast of the Pentecost, June 6, 1954 in St. Mary’s Church in West Quincy, MA. His first assignment was at Sacred Heart Cathedral in downtown Amarillo. His other assignments included St. Anthony of Padua, Dalhart (1954-1955); Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Groom and St. Mary’s Church, Clarendon ( 1955-1959); St. Josephs Church, Amarillo (1959-1960); Immaculate Conception Church, Muleshoe; St Peter’s Church, Olton; Sacred Heart Church, Littlefield and St. Mary Magdalene Church, Earth (1960-1966); Immaculate Conception Church, Vega (1966- 1969); St. Phillip Neri Church,m Pep (1969-1970); Sacred Heart Church, Petersburg and its mission, St. Isidore’s Church, Abernathy (1970-1979); St. Francis of Assissi Church, St. Francis ( 1980-1983); St. Ann’s Church, Bovina and St. Teresa’s Church, Friona (1983). His final assignment was at Sacred Heart Church, White Deer, where he was granted retirement on Feb. 12, 1988. He was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II in July 1985, with the title of Monsignor, which was presented to him on Sept. 1 at Holy Family Chapel in the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center.He is survived by a sister, Rita Corcoran of Quincy, MA.

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