WILMINGTON — Michael Corliss Sr. also known as Mike the Mayor or the most interesting and wrinkled man on Long Island, then Bonita Springs, FL and most recently Wilmington, NC. He cherished a few things in life; hours of vitamin D, the Miami Dolphins (especially the ’72 team), a backyard BBQ, Florida, his lanais, a good ‘ole Budweiser in his early years, which morphed into the sophisticated Cabernet Sauvignon in his later years, and needless to say his family and friends.
He was a self-proclaimed, family man who did whatever it took to provide for his family. Mike was a selfless, unpretentious kinda guy who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was a charismatic man, never politically correct, and who worried about the details only when the details truly mattered. He was an Irish/German who said “how ya doin?” to everyone he has ever met, like a true Italian from Brooklyn, albeit he was from the Irish side.
He was born in Brooklyn on Dec 9, 1946. Raised by Grandpa & Grandma Schmidt, who he loved, respected, and always spoke highly of until his last day. He was one of twelve kids and had to find his own path quickly. It was love at first sight with MaryLee at a softball game in Brentwood where he spent his High School years. She was the sister of his friend and teammate, Nicholas Loria. You wouldn’t call it a match made in heaven but more of a ying yang relationship that would last for the record books—over a half century. Things that were important to him were not your typical indulgences. He liked simple things like clean white t-shirts, beers in coolers, the sun, kielbasa, hot dogs, and spending quality time with his family and close friends. He was an extremely hard worker albeit until his first heart attack at 40 yrs, after that, not so much. He was great as a retiree but not a great golfer—go figure. Surprisingly he excelled at pickleball before it was mainstream, although succumbed to an injury, which ended his career. Mike was an absolute dedicated family man that sacrificed the last 10 years of his life being the main caregiver to his wife MaryLee who has advanced Alzheimer’s.
Mike Corliss, survived by his wife MaryLee Corliss, his sons Thomas Corliss and Michael Corliss Jr and wife Amy Corliss as well as his two adoring grandchildren, Alexandra and Lila, daughters of Amy and Michael.
Friends, Family and the community are invited to celebrate Mike’s life Monday, February 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church; 1013 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403. Followed by a casual luncheon at his Club House in Whiskey Branch. Given his wife has Alzheimer’s, we hope you can stop in next door to quickly pay your respects to his wife MaryLee.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation in Mike’s memory, honoring his wife Mary Lee Corliss to Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
