Our hearts are heavy with the passing of John Joseph Corbett II, on July 12,2009

A prayer vigil will be held at Hooper & Weaver Mortuary at 6 p.m. Friday, July 17. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 18, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Graveside services will follow at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery.

Born on June 9, 1938, in Danbury, Conn., to John Joseph Corbett and Margaret Mary Moran Corbett, he graduated from Danbury High School Class of 1955, University of Connecticut and joined the U.S. Army in 1960. He continued his service with the Army Reserves. He married the love of his life and best friend, Jean Bousquet on May 13, 1961, in Ware, Mass. They moved to Grass Valley and raised six children.

John worked for the Tahoe National Forest for 36 years, instrumental in private and public land acquisitions, forest fires and served as public information officer.

John was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the Society of American Foresters, The Knight's of Columbus, American Right of Way Association and Pride Industries.

He was involved with all of his children's sporting events including Gold Country Soccer, Penguin Swim Team, and Grass Valley Little League.

He was a skier, backpacker, enjoyed camping, canoeing and the outdoors. He took pride watching his grandkids ski in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

John loved his family and he relished spending time with loved ones. He was an animated storyteller and observer of life around him. He was generous with his love and famous for his hugs and cheerful laugh. He instilled in others his love of nature, his thirst for knowledge, his sense of community and compassion for others. He was a warm and loyal friend, a loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather, who will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched.

John is survived by his wife of 4 8 years, Jean Corbett; his children, Colleen Corbett, Julie (Dave) Schlothauer, Jack (Tomi) Corbett, Katie (Mike) Lemm, Jill (Jason) Auld, and Megan (Pat) Dobbs; his grandchildren, Ella, Kross and Cy Corbett, John and Jake Schlothauer, Owen, Mia and Phoebe Lemm, Hayden, Logan and Ruby Auld and Corbett Dobbs, and his younger brother, Tom (Peggy) Corbett of Danbury, Conn.

Memorial contributions may be made to Neighborhood Center for the Arts and Pride Industries.