Leonard J. “Corky” Norcia, of Owensboro, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, March 29, 2025 while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. He was born in Canton, Ohio to the late Leonard and Mary Dovidio Norcia. Corky moved to Owensboro, KY in 1953 and graduated from Owensboro Catholic High in 1957. He attended Brescia College and was a Seargent in the U.S. Army. Additionally, he served on several boards including the KY Broadcasters Association (past president), Junior Achievement (past president), Immaculate School Board (chairman), Owensboro Catholic School Board, Owensboro Health Foundation, and helped with fund raising Leadership Owensboro in 1983.
Corky loved fiercely and never met a stranger. He mentored many kids through his leadership and coaching through the years. To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was their strong, beloved Papa. He showered them with love and affection, and they lit up any time he was around. When he was with his family, he played with little ones, danced hard at weddings and parties, and was always ready to crack a joke. His vivacious spirit and his loving heart are his legacy, which already echoes through every generation of the family he started. Corky was an active parishioner of Immaculate for 60 years. Golf was his passion, and some of his best memories were with his many buddies on the course. He won several club championships at Windridge Country Club and Owensboro Country Club, two Owensboro City Championships in 1978 and 1986, the Legends City Championship Sr. Division in 1996, and had 10 holes in one.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife Patty; daughter, Angela; and brother, Nick Mark Norcia.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of eight years, Elaine; sons, Nick (Jeanie) Norcia and Leonard “Lenny” (Tammy) Norcia; daughters, Debbie (Gordon) Powers of Rome, GA, Carol (Dave) Robillard of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Connie (Brett) Wesnofske of Nashville, TN; step-children, James K Park and Jennifer Haney; a sister, Linda (Larry) Blanding; 21 grandchildren, Bryant (Savannah) Powers, Aaron (Alison) Powers, Kathleen (Ben) Arnold, Steven (Michelle) Powers, Nicholas (Kelsey) Norcia, Mary Ellen (Jacob) Cunningham, Mary Ann (Matt) Lanoue, Angela Powers, Sarah (Johnny) Robillard, Bradley (Kelby) Norcia, Emily (Nathan) Lewis, Rachael Wesnofske, Daniel (Megan) Robillard, Matthew (Payton) Norcia, Christopher (Morgan) Wesnofske, Kelly Sue Robillard, Micah (Lauren) Norcia, Andrew (Caroline) Wesnofske, John David Robillard, Thomas Wesnofske, and Patrick Robillard; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Catholic Church on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with Father John Vaughan and Father Tony Jones officiating. Burial to follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with prayers at 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.
Online messages of condolence may be made at www.davisfuneralhome.com.