Canisius Mourns the Passing of Fran Corcoran ‘56

The Canisius athletic department and the College's men's basketball program are saddened to learn of the passing of former Golden Griffin Francis "Fran" Corcoran, '56. Corcoran passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday, Oct. 15, in Wilmington, N.C.

Corcoran played in 68 career games for Canisius from 1953-56, and is best remembered for scoring the game-winning basket in Canisius' 79-78 four-overtime win against No. 2 North Carolina State at Madison Square Garden in the 1956 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional first round. That upset win, often regarded as one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, propelled Canisius into the tournament's second round, where the Griffs went on to defeat Dartmouth, 66-58. Canisius' run in the 1956 NCAA Tournament came to an end in the regional final after the Griffs lost to Temple, 60-58, in Philadelphia, Pa.

A 6-foot-2 guard from Philadelphia, Corcoran was formally enshrined into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame with his teammates from the 1955-56 NCAA Tournament team in 2007.

Corcoran is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Nan; and the couple's five children, as well as 16 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for any gifts that can be made in Corcoran's name to the Canisius men's basketball program. To make a gift on Fran Corcoran's behalf, please visit THIS LINK, or contact the Canisius Institutional Advancement staff by calling (716) 888-8211.

To read Corcoran's full obituary, as it appeared in the Oct. 23 edition of The Buffalo News, CLICK HERE.

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