Thomas Franklin Corcoran, 79, died and left us for his next great adventure on January 16, 2023.
Tom grew up in Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights with his two younger sisters who survive him. He also leaves behind 2 sons, 2 granddaughters, a brother-in-law, niece, nephew, and other relatives, as well as many friends and fans around the world.
Tom graduated from Miami University of Ohio, and upon graduation served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Stationed in Key West for a time, he found his spirit's home and moved here in 1968 following his honorable discharge from the Navy. He ultimately lived in Key West or nearby for the rest of his life, visiting often in person and even more often in his storytelling and writing. Tom’s time in Key West was, like Tom himself, both understated and profound. He had a way of finding himself in the middle of great stories without knowing precisely how he got there. He also had a way of remembering every detail, perhaps due to his unique talent for being truly present, which made everyone he encountered feel like the center of the universe, at least for that moment.
It was in Key West where, serving tacos off the back of his bicycle and bartending in The Chart Room bar, that he met and developed lifelong friendships with a group of writers and musicians who would become giants in their fields. Stories still abound of their misadventures on the island. Tom is most recently known for his Alex Rutledge mystery series, set in and around Key West, but his talents were many. In addition to co-writing lyrics for the Jimmy Buffett favorites, Fins and Cuban Crime of Passion, and co-writing multiple songs with John Frinzi, he had been a disc jockey; AAA Travel Counselor; professional photographer; screenwriter; leather store owner and leather smith (check out Jimmy Buffett's Buried Treasure Vol. 1 and 2 album covers. Tom made the jacket and hat Jimmy is wearing); and an automotive magazine editor. His photos appeared on seven Jimmy Buffett album covers, and his portraits on numerous book jacket covers including novels by Tom McGuane, Hunter S. Thompson, and Winston Groom’s Forrest Gump. Over 160 of Tom's photos of the 1970s and 1980s were collected in 2008’s award-winning book, Key West in Black and White.
Tom, who embodied the term "Renaissance Man'', also wore the hat of a publisher and founded Ketch and Yawl Press, producing and distributing titles such as The Railroad That Died at Sea; Yesterday's Florida Keys; Key West and the Spanish-American War; Yesterday's Key West; Papa Hemingway in Key West; and Jimmy Buffett - the Key West Years.
And, of course, Tom was the renowned raconteur who would regale and delight rapt audiences with outrageous (but true) stories of adventures with friends the likes of Jimmy Buffett and all those in his early orbit, Hunter S. Thompson, P.J. O’Rourke, Jim Harrison, and Tom McGuane, among others.
The loss of Tom has been staggering; the gift of him immeasurable. In the 2024 Crooks Annual Second Line Parade we remember and celebrate the life of this brilliant; outrageously funny; multi-talented writer and photographer; master storyteller; bibliophile; music connoisseur and one-of-a-kind bright light. Sail on, dear friend. You are deeply missed.