Robert 'Bob' Cordrey, Parkinson's advocate
Robert (“Bob,” “Bobby”) Cordrey, 81, formerly of Garnet Valley, Pa., passed away at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford, Monday, March 16, 2015. Bob went home peacefully to be with his Lord with his wife and family at his bedside after a bravely fought 10-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, and recently cancer.
Bob was born Jan. 14, 1934, to Harry and Lida Cordrey who preceded him in death, along with his three brothers, Leon Cordrey, Alton Cordrey and Bill Cordrey. Bob was married to his beloved wife Nancy (Knost) Cordrey June 20, 1980. Bob and Nancy previously led together a Parkinson’s Support Group at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Claymont, before his health declined, and also participated in the Delaware Parkinson’s Alliance.
Bob enlisted at the age of 19 in the Army during the Korean War. He later attended and graduated from Goldie-Beacom College and Brown University. He originally began his career in banking, later becoming a company representative for Horace Mann Insurance, and then a manager of Information technology and payroll for Wilmington Medical Center, now part of Christiana Care Health Systems, from where he retired. After retirement, he worked part time for Brookside Lab in Brookhaven Pa. as a courier.
Besides his wife, Nancy, Bob is survived by his three children, daughter Deborah (Nikos) Economidis and sons, Mark (Shauna) Cordrey and Alan (Carolyn) Cordrey; three stepchildren, Pamela (Gary) Liguori, Greg (Kathi) Kurcon and Glenn (Jessica) Kurcon; 15 grandchildren; and his six very loving sisters, Ruth Conaway, Gladys Baker, Bernice Ward, Dorothy (Bob) Carmine, Carol (Dick) Moorehead and Shirley Gray; and many nieces and nephews. Bob was a humble, loving and devoted husband, father, stepfather, brother, grandfather and uncle, and will be sadly missed by his entire family.
A private family viewing was held March 21 at Watson Funeral Home, Saturday, May 2, at Covenant Fellowship Church, One Fellowship Drive, Glen Mills, Pa. Visitation of the family will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the service at noon with a luncheon to follow. Directions to the church may be obtained by calling 610-361-0606. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made for Parkinson’s research at the University of Delaware. Please address those donations to University of Delaware-Gift Processing, 83 Main Street, Third floor, Newark, Delaware, 19716, and in memo on check please write “ for Parkinson’s Disease research in memory of Bob Cordrey.”
Special thanks and deep appreciation from all of Bob’s family go to the wonderful staff of the Delaware Veterans Home and Delaware Veterans Hospice for the loving care of Bob during his stay there.
