Michael R. Corwin, 70, of Moretown, died peacefully at home in the
loving embrace of his family, on Thursday, February 19, 2009. Michael
was born on May 13, 1938, in Richmond Hills, New York. He was the son
of the late Austin Corwin and Alison (Taylor) Corwin.
Raised in Manhasset, New York, he attended Manhasset Public Schools. In
1955, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving three years in Japan.
Upon his return to the States in 1959, Michael joined his father and
brother to work at Thos. A. Corwin Inc., the family plumbing and
heating business. In 1975, Michael began traveling across the country
working at nuclear power plants as a contract welder for the federal
government. In 1982, he returned to New York and, together with his
brother, started the Satellite Energy Corp., an oil and gas exploration
company. In 1985, Michael founded Corwin Petroleum, another company
devoted to oil and gas exploration. In Manhattan, he was known by many
as "Mr. Oil and Gas."
In 1988, Michael returned to Vermont, a state he especially loved. He
worked out of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union, Local 693, for many
years, working primarily at IBM as a pipefitter and CAD designer. Upon
his "retirement," he continued to work as Maintenance Supervisor at the
Pitcher Inn in Warren. Michael was married to Carolyn Urban of
Moretown.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn; his brother Terence Corwin of Saint
James, New York; his sister Elin Corwin of Southold, New York; his
children Vicky (Corwin) Barile of Melville, New York, Stacy (Corwin)
O'Dette of Melville, New York, Michael S. Corwin of Glen Cove, New
York, Alison Corwin of Somerville, Massachusetts, Jesse Corwin of
Clifton Park, New York, and Austin Corwin of Moretown. He also leaves
his six grandchildren.
Michael led a colorful life and was a man of many interests. He was an
avid sailor and photographer. He loved all kinds of music, especially
jazz and the blues. He read extensively. He loved to travel, camp and
work with his hands. He loved to design and build things for his
family. He particularly enjoyed wit and word play, keeping those around
him laughing. Michael was a rare character and is deeply missed by his
family and friends.
Funeral services were held from St. Patrick Church in Moretown on
Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at 11 a.m. Friends called at the
Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts
would be appreciated to the Vermont Cancer Center, 213-E Building, 89
Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT 05405. To send online condolences please
visit www.perkinsparker.com.
