Edward F. Corcoran of Glenwood Springs passed away suddenly at home, in the comfort of his favorite chair, on October 22nd. He was 73 years old. Eddie was the son of Durwood and Margaret Corcoran, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan. He was the product of a strict Catholic upbringing — a surprise to those who knew him later in life — and entered the workforce early due to the untimely death of his father. He married young and had a son, Jeff, but the couple parted ways and Eddie set out for Colorado in search of a fresh start — and some fresh powder.
Never one for a plan, Eddie found a cabin on the Fryingpan River where he could stay in exchange for maintenance work. He scraped by, often trading freshly caught trout for cash. In 1972, he joined the Aspen Ski Company as an instructor — a simple seasonal job that would change his life. Skiing introduced him to many lifelong friends, including Linda, whom he married in 1976. The two set out on a series of adventures, such as founding one of the first rafting companies in the Roaring Fork Valley, which led tours from here to the Grand Canyon.
Eddie's connections to the ski industry led to a job as a sportswear rep, where he and Linda traveled in an old RV to attend trade shows. This circuit took them all over the Western U.S., and led to a brief stint at Wichita State University. On a hill of rubberized snow, "Professor Corcoran" showed students the basics of carving turns. They moved back to the Roaring Fork Valley in the early 1980s and resumed teaching in Aspen. A full roster of high-profile clients allowed "Fast Eddie" to support his family, which expanded in 1984 with the birth of his daughter, Sarah.
On summer mornings, you'd find him tending to the course at the Glenwood Springs Golf Club, where he was a greenskeeper for many years. He loved being on the course early in the morning as the sun rose over the mountains, and he made a point of playing weekly with friends — or at least enjoying a cold one on the 19th hole — right up to his last days.
Though Eddie and Linda separated in the mid-1990s, he stuck close to home so that he could stay an active part of his daughter's life. If he wasn't on the mountain or the golf course, he could be spotted mountain biking up the Scout Trail, or burning up the open road on his Harley Davidson. He was fond of traveling, whether it was visiting friends or venturing to his ancestral homeland of Ireland with his daughter.
Just off Bennett Avenue is a trail that leads to Doc Holliday's grave, and it's safe to say that no man has logged more steps on that trail than Eddie. He'd walk up daily with his faithful Australian Shepherds — first Merlin, then Bailey (AKA Bubba) — while serving as a bootleg historian to any unsuspecting tourist. He'd tell them a story of his beloved Glenwood Springs, and urge them not to miss the grave of Kid Curry. Afterwards, he'd settle in to his favorite chair and cheer on his adored Broncos.
Eddie had a mischievous streak that persisted right to the end. He was a self-described "character," though others would use more colorful terms from time to time. Undoubtedly, though, he was a beloved father, a cherished friend, and an unmistakable feature of this valley. He was a man who lived life on his own terms, and he will be dearly missed. He is survived by his former wife Linda, his children, Jeff and Sarah, and his sisters, Mary Ann and Monica.
A celebratory service will be held at 2pm on November 10th at the Glenwood Springs Golf Club.