Dr. Peter John Corey

Dr. Peter John Corey, 83, of Dallas passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2013, at the VNA Hospice Unit of St. Luke's Villa in Wilkes-Barre.

He was born in Wilkes-Barre on Dec. 5, 1929, a son of the late John Peter Coray and Louise Shenwen Coray. Dr. Corey was a graduate of GAR High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilkes College and a medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College. He completed his internship at Chester County Hospital, West Chester. He completed his surgical residency at Lankeanau Hospital and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1959 to 1963.

Dr. Corey was certified by the American Board of Surgery and was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Gastroenterology.

He was a lieutenant in the medical corps U.S. Naval Reserve, with active duty from 1956 to 1958.

Dr. Corey spent his career at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. He was a chairman of the Department of Surgery from 1975 to 1985. In 1980, he was the president of medical staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Dr. Corey was a pioneer in the medical field and a well-respected surgeon and physician in the medical community. He has had many accomplishments thoughout his career. He published "The Use of Librium in Surgical Patients" in the Pennsylvania Medical Journal, in August 1962. He performed the first pacemaker insertion and the first femoral popliteal bypass surgical procedure in the Wyoming Valley. Dr. Corey was instrumental in the establishment of one of the first intensive care units in the Valley. He was the founder and administrator of the Surgical Specialists of Wyoming Valley. He retired in 1991.

He was a member of St. Anthony/St. George Maronite Church, Wilkes-Barre.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Coray, Tonawanda, N.Y.; and Anthony Coray, State College; and son-in-law, Nicholas Chovanes, Macungie.

Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Ann Matzoni Corey, Dallas; children, Terri Gorman and her husband, Joe, Laflin; Jackie Chovanes, Macungie; Joseph Corey and his wife, Lesley, Harveys Lake; Stephanie Corey-Marks and her husband, Brent, Redwood City, Calif.; granchildren, Joseph and Corey Gorman; Sophie, Olivia and Annie Chovanes; Jacob, Zachary and Hailey Corey; Nico Corey-Civatello; and Owen and Grace Marks.

Dr. Corey was a brillian surgeon, physician and man. He was always willing to help others and will be remembered by the many lives he touched. He was a devoted and loving husband, fathers and grandfather, and he will be deeply missed.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday from St. Anthony's Maronite Church, Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday ay Mamary-Durkin Funeral Service, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre.

His family would like to thank all of those who provided friendship and support throughout his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Homes Resident Support Fund, 50 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA 18656.