WESTFIELD – Donald “Corky” Charles McCorkindale was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He left this world unexpectedly on June 30, 2022, at the age of 73 at his home in Westfield, MA. He is predeceased by his parents Austin McCorkindale and Esther (Neumann) McCorkindale and his father-in-law, John Smith and mother-in-law Dorothy Smith. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda A McCorkindale and his five children, Laurie McCorkindale and spouse Monte Newman, Daniel McCorkindale and partner January Russell, Andrea McCorkindale, Natalie Hoernig and spouse Kurt Hoernig, and Kristie Uppling and spouse Zac Uppling. He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren, Steven Wall, Julie McCorkindale, Tyler McCorkindale, Austin Marques and Evan Marques. He is also survived by his older brothers, Edward McCorkindale and his spouse Marie McCorkindale and Richard McCorkindale and his spouse Pam McCorkindale. He is survived by sister in laws, Suzanne Lemarier, April Kimes and Laurel Meyers and her spouse Jake Meyers and many nieces and nephews.
Donald was born to Austin McCorkindale and Esther (Neumann) McCorkindale on July 31, 1948 in Holyoke, MA. As a child he enjoyed ice fishing and outdoor sports on Hampton Ponds. He graduated in from Westfield High School and went on to join the service in the Navy for four years, serving on the USS Hartley DE-1029. After traveling as, a young man, he married the love of his life Linda (Smith) McCorkindale in 1973. Being a loyal family man, she was his everything and he lived his life for her and his children. Linda and Donald went on to raise their family of five children in Westfield, MA. He was employed at Sonoco Products Company – Paper Division in Holyoke, MA for over 44 years until he retired in 2018. Donald was a dedicated and hard-working person his entire life often working many extra hours to support his family.
Donald enjoyed carpentry and tinkering and was very mechanically inclined and loved to fix things and make improvements to his house and yard. His hobbies included attending the drag races at Lebanon Valley in New York, going to car shows, and classic muscle cars. He liked relaxing and watching his TV after a long day of work and was a fan of classic cartoons and sci-fi movies. He most loved spending time with his family.
Donald was a positive thinker who never let anything get him down. He was the King of Dad jokes before it was a thing and loved to tease people in a lighthearted and playful way. He was kind to everyone he encountered and had impeccable manners and a high moral compass. His loyalty was unmatched. He always put others first and was happy to lend a helping hand. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a period of visitation on Friday, July 8, 2022, from 10:00 AM – NOON at Westfield Funeral Home, 4 Princeton St, Westfield, MA 01085 A funeral home service will be held at 12 NOON followed by burial at New Southwick Cemetery, Southwick, MA
To express condolences to the family, share memories, or order flowers please visit Donald’s memorial page at www.westfieldfuneralhome.com.
