James (Jim) Hardy Corbett, Jr. of Plymouth, 92: "Gentleman Jim" and "Karaoke Jim"

James H. Corbett, Jr. was born in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1930. He graduated from Boston College in 1952, and then served in the US Air Force from 1952 to 1954, trained as a fighter pilot during the Korean War era. He attended BC Law school in the fall of 1954. Jim married the love of his life, Elaine Claire Morrison, in 1960. They enjoyed many years together, both in Needham, and in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They met at Falmouth Heights beach, drove around in his Corvette, and danced the nights away at "The Casino." He and his wife were the first in their families to graduate from college and were extremely proud of their accomplishments. Elaine predeceased Jim in 1999.

Jim was an outstanding citizen who never left anyone out. He embraced a healthy lifestyle in

the 1970s before it was fashionable and in his later years Jim made it his mission to be there for

his children. Jim often said he'd wanted to give his children the many things he wasn't afforded

as a child: Red Sox, Patriots, Boston Bruins, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Pops. As a

young family they spent many summer evenings at the Esplanade in Boston or sitting on the

screened in porch he built for his wife to enjoy. His biggest regret was that he couldn't make

every problem disappear, though he tried with lightness of heart and a smile.

In the last year of his life, Jim decided to do several good deeds a day to make other people

happy. He could laugh at himself and lend a hand to someone in trouble or in pain.

Jim leaves behind four children: James H Corbett, III and partner, Janice; Julia Davis and

husband, Matthew; Thomas Corbett, and Alicia MacGregor; beloved sister-in-law Paula Petigara

and husband Kavas, and children Tanaz, Nosh and wife, Haeky; grandchildren and great-

grandchildren including Josh Willard, wife Cenzia and children Blaise and Layla; Elise

Tanenbaum, and Brendan MacGregor; step-grandchildren Kirsten and sons Oliver and Crosby;

Lauren and daughters Cadence and Basil; and Nick, wife Jennae, and children Semira, and

Zahara; Harrison and Olivia Davis; Jennifer Adelstein, husband Dave and son Logan; the

MacGregor family of Manomet and Duxbury; as well as his cherished "adopted" sons and

daughters.

Jim earned a BS in Business Administration from Boston College and an MBA from Northeastern

University. He enjoyed a thirty-year career as a computer salesman for IBM, Data General,

Boeing, and others, from the industry's infancy to the desktop age. After that, he built a

successful financial advising practice with Ameriprise. Jim considered his clients to be his

friends and vice versa. Later, he continued as a tax advisor for "seniors" and professionally until

he was 83. Jim worked out for more than 55 years, swam nearly a mile three times a week until

he was 87, and lived his dream: no matter how imperfect, he enjoyed and appreciated his life.

Jim began singing karaoke when he was 70 with the encouragement of close friends. He

continued until this past April when he suffered a short illness. He enjoyed his many friends

through his favorite pastime, karaoke, which became his lifeline.

Jim's outlook, always an optimist no matter what the obstacle, left an indelible mark on

everyone he met. Expect nothing, give everything, and enjoy life with all its ups and downs. His

smile, his laugh, the songs he sang to everyone in his path, taught us all that every moment

matters. Jim will be missed deeply by family and friends.

In closing each karaoke night, he famously sang, That's Amore, a song that summed up the

beliefs he held all his life: to love, to sing, to dance and to savor each minute.

His favorite song, Summer Wind, he sang in his last days, dedicated to his beloved wife Elaine.

"It reminds me of the day we met." All summer long, we sang a song, and then we strolled on

golden sand, two amigos, and the summer wind." Jim is at last joined together with Elaine in

eternity.

Jim was a beloved brother to his predeceased sisters, Ellen Williams (and Joe), Nancy Cole (and

Edwin), Patsy Lutazzi (and Timmy) and Brenda Corbett, as well as numerous nieces, nephews.

Jim was well-known in his adopted hometown of Plymouth, Massachusetts as a karaoke singer,

as a friendly face at his favorite diners, at bingo, and around friends at his apartment complex, a

close group whom he considered his second family. He was a champion human being, a

lighthearted spirit, a scholar, an accomplished ballroom dancer, a best friend to many, and all-

around wonderful guy – earning his name from high school, Gentleman Jim.

Jim was reticent to leave us behind, but we take comfort in knowing that he will be with his

beloved wife Elaine, and his family, embraced in the loving hands of God.

Arrangements are under the care of Bartlett Funeral Home, 338 Court St, Plymouth MA 02360. Visitation will take place on Tuesday May 23, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Funeral Home. There will be a Mass at St Peters Church , 86 Court St, Plymouth MA 02360 on Wednesday May 24, 2023 10:30am.

Obituary lovingly written by the family of Jim Corbett