Gerald Corkin

MARQUETTE — Long-serving Marquette County Commissioner Gerald Corkin passed away Thursday at UP Health System-Marquette.

Corkin, 82, spent time as a member of the Negaunee City Council and has served on the Marquette County Board of Commissioners since 1985. He had served as the chairman of the board for more than 30 years. Over his time in public service, Corkin championed many important projects in Marquette County, recently having a street named after him at the Sawyer for his work in securing funding for the Sawyer expansion project.

On the commission, Corkin represented Ishpeming and his hometown of Negaunee. He attended his final commission meeting Tuesday, where he discussed issues that concerned the future of Marquette County, including a major step forward in the Sawyer expansion project.

“The county is saddened by the passing of Chairman Corkin,” said Marquette County Administrator Scott Erbisch. “An important leader in Marquette County for many decades. Marquette County lost a true leader. We wish the family the best during this very difficult time.”

Beyond his work on the Marquette County Board, Corkin also served as the chairman of the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission.

Corkin has also served on the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress Board of Directors, as well as chair of the MI Works Administrative Board and as the chair of the Upper Peninsula 911 Authority, amongst many other community positions.

Funeral services will be held on at 5 p.m. Thursday at Marquette Hope Methodist Church-Mitchell Campus in Negaunee with the Rev. Chris Hintz and the Rev. Kristi Hintz officiating.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 542. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.