Errante Corina

Errante (Ronny) Corina, died Monday December 29. 2014 peacefully at his home and went to his heavenly reward at the age of 97. He was born June 13, 1917 in Fleming, Kentucky to his Italian immigrant parents, Calisto Corina and Maria Ridolfi Corina. He graduated from Woodlawn High School, Birmingham Southern College, and then received his JD Degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He served as a fighter pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was in combat in France and Germany. He was attached to the 404th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, 9th Air Force and flew P-47 aircraft on 54 combat missions of which he was the commanding officer on 26. He was recalled to duty by the Air Force during the Korean War and assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA. He was later assigned as the base legal officer. He had obtained the rank of Colonel by the time he was discharged. He then had a distinguished law career that lasted over 40 years. During that time he often did pro-bono work for those who couldn’t afford an attorney. During part of his career he served as the Chief Clerk and Register of the Jefferson County Probate Court.

Ronny had a lifetime passion for music. Throughout most of his life, he played the violin and served at one time as the concert master of the Birmingham Symphony. Thanks to his father and his Italian heritage, he became a real student and lover of opera and classical music. Later in life he belonged to community orchestras often playing for local churches. He also loved to travel in his camper to campgrounds around the United States with his friends who shared the same passion.

Ronny was an honest, loving, hardworking man who loved his family and friends with all his heart. He taught his children well and prepared them for life by the examples that he set. He was active in many civic organizations such as the Huffman Civitan Club and served several times as their president. He also served as the state president of the Order of Sons of Italy. For over 50 years he was a member and attended the Huffman United Methodist Church. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Ronny was preceded in death by his parents, Calisto and Maria Corina, his loving and faithful wife of 66 years Eugenia Kilgoar Corina, his brother Ateo (Otto) Corina and sister-in-law Mary Corina, and his sister Solisca ( Celesta) Switzer and brother-in-law Lamar Switzer and his brother-in-law Victor Kilgoar and sister-in-law Mary Kilgoar.

He is survived by his children, Alfred Calisto Corina (Freddy) of Mobile, AL, Elizabeth Corina Perman (Betty) and husband Eddie of Attala, AL, and Byron Victor Corina (Byron) and wife Teresa of Wilsonville, AL. He leaves one granddaughter, Elizabeth Gomany Walker (Chelley) and husband Mike of Gadsden, AL, great grandson Robin Christopher Patterson, great grandson Samuel Harris Walker, and great granddaughter Elizabeth Anne Walker, niece Caroline Gerson (George), and niece Alicia Brooks, nephew Barry Kilgoar (Deb) and great nephew George Gerson (Stephanie), and great nephew Norman Gerson (Marie).

The family would like to give special thanks to Julie Helms, Sue Williams, and Mitzi Seales for the loving and compassionate care that they gave to our Dad. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Huffman United Methodist Church.

Funeral Service will be Saturday January 3, 2014 at 2 PM at Ridout's Trussville Chapel with Dr. Harris Hand officiating, interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prio to service time.