Donald E. Corcione

Donald Edward Corcione, born May 27, 1961, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Don was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather, a cherished son, brother, uncle, and a friend to many. He lived a life centered on family, community, kindness, and helping others, leaving a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, and raised on Lafetra Avenue in Eatontown, Don remained proud to call Eatontown home throughout his life. He often spoke fondly of his childhood and the lifelong friendships he made there. He had a gift for connecting with people and seemed to make a new friend everywhere he went. His warmth, sense of humor, and willingness to lend a hand made him someone others naturally gravitated toward. Above all else, Don cherished his family. Together, he and his beloved wife, Janet, built a life filled with love, laughter, and family, raising two children, David and Lindsay, and later delighting in becoming "Poppy" to his cherished grandchildren, Henry, Archer, and Fiona. Whether playing baseball in the backyard, sharing stories and laughter, or simply spending time together, those moments brought him his greatest joy. Don was the definition of a devoted husband and father. He never missed a game, recital, school play, or milestone, always cheering from the sidelines and celebrating every accomplishment of his children. Later in life, he lovingly cared for his mother, faithfully spending evenings with her watching Jeopardy!, creating memories that reflected his deep devotion to family. One of Don's greatest passions was baseball and softball. For many years, he dedicated countless hours to coaching children and teenagers, including his son, David, and his daughter, Lindsay, at every level. He coached Little League, travel and tournament baseball, American Legion Baseball, and girls youth softball, helping countless young people grow both on and off the field. To Don, sports were about much more than winning. He taught teamwork, discipline, confidence, and sportsmanship, but above all else, he believed the game should be fun. The kids on his teams played hard, learned valuable life lessons, and always had a great time. That joy and enthusiasm were part of what made him such a beloved coach. Among Don's proudest accomplishments was coaching the 1999 Eatontown 14-year-old All-Star baseball team to a District Championship, a memory he treasured for the rest of his life. His commitment to the kids on his teams extended far beyond the field. It was not unusual for more than half the team to pile into his pickup truck on the way to practices, games, and tournaments. To many of those young people, he was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a role model, and someone they knew they could count on. Don also served his community as Chairman of the Recreation Committee, always looking for ways to create opportunities for local children and families. Among the events he was especially proud to support was the annual Youth Fishing Derby at Wampum Park, a place where he had enjoyed fishing as a young boy. It was one more way he found joy in sharing his love of the outdoors and creating lasting memories for the next generation. Bowling was another lifelong passion. Don dedicated more than 30 years to managing bowling centers throughout the Jersey Shore area, spending the majority of his career at Lanes at Sea Girt. There, he earned the respect of employees, coworkers, customers, and the many bowlers who came through the doors. He was known as a fair, compassionate, and supportive manager who genuinely cared about the people around him. At Lanes at Sea Girt, Don also created and organized the recurring Pack the Bowl event, bringing together local musicians and the bowling community for unforgettable nights of live music, friendship, and fun. The bands loved working with Don because of his easygoing nature, fairness, and genuine appreciation for everyone involved. As much as Don enjoyed creating memorable experiences for others, he also found success on the lanes himself. An accomplished bowler, he rolled three perfect 300 games during his lifetime, an achievement he was proud of but rarely bragged about. Beyond the ballfield and bowling alley, Don had a deep love and compassion for animals. Throughout his life, he cared for many beloved pets, including dogs, cats, frogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, and even orphaned baby squirrels. He loved sharing stories about the animals he had cared for over the years and believed every animal deserved to be treated with kindness, dignity, and compassion. Don loved live music, especially the Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead. He enjoyed backyard barbecues, especially hot dogs, trips to Sandy Hook, and cheering on the New York Mets. He had a soft spot for the underdog and found happiness in life's simple pleasures, especially when they were shared with family and friends. If something was broken, Don either knew how to fix it or, as his family loved to say, he always "knew a guy." He was often the first phone call when someone needed help, advice, or simply someone to listen. He never cared much for material possessions. What mattered most to him were people, helping others, taking care of his family, and doing whatever he could to make someone else's day a little easier. Don was also a devoted son who carried a deep love and respect for his parents throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Fiore M. Corcione and Jean M. Corcione, and his uncle, Donald J. Clark. He especially admired his father, a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Don developed a deep appreciation for history and proudly shared stories of his father's courage, helping to preserve those memories for future generations. Don lived by simple but meaningful principles: do the right thing, take the high road, and don't sweat the small stuff. Those values shaped the way he lived and the legacy he leaves behind. Don is survived by his beloved wife, Janet L. Corcione; his son, David Fiore Corcione, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Brady-Corcione; his daughter, Lindsay Marie DeAngelis, and son-in-law, Cole Joseph DeAngelis; his cherished grandchildren, Henry Cole DeAngelis, Archer Fiore DeAngelis, and Fiona Nicollette Corcione; his siblings, Kathleen Tomain (Joseph), Eileen Renzo, Maureen Karsh, Colleen Shimazu (Jimmy), and David J. Corcione (Diana); his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sherrie and Tom Hook; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, lifelong friends, and all whose lives he touched. In keeping with Don's wishes, he will be privately cremated. In lieu of flowers or donations, his family asks that you honor Don’s memory by doing something kind for someone today. Make their day a little easier. It is exactly what Don would have done. "Fare you well."

Donald E. Corcione

May 27, 1961 - July 14, 2026