community and understanding. So on October 12, 2004, when the Lower Campus Dining Facility - one of BC's most popular gathering places - was formally named the John M. Corcoran Commons in memory of John Corcoran '48, his brother Leo could confidently say, "We think John would be pleased to have his name linked to a destination where students come together in a spirit of camaraderie. Promoting fellowship and understanding was important to him." It was, in fact, Corcoran's desire to enhance interfaith understanding that motivated his gift of the foundational endowment for the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College.
Corcoran, who died in 2003, did not grow up a child of privilege. Long before he and his brother Leo founded the successful John M. Corcoran & Co. real estate development firm, he knew about struggle. One of eight children, he became a decorated World War II hero, then worked 40 hours a week shoveling coal while attending Boston College.
Besides all that he did for BC - founding the Real Estate Council of Boston College, serving eight years on the Board of Trustees, nine more as a trustee associate - perhaps what the University cherishes most is that Corcoran exemplified the Ignatian ideal of being "a man for others." Leo Corcoran and his wife, Helen, gave the gift to memorialize John so that future generations of students may be inspired as they pass through Corcoran Commons to achieve this same ideal.