Schinova Cory

Schinova Cory passed away on April 15, 2023 in his Virginia Beach home surrounded by family. A strong-willed and dignified man until the very end, Schinova continued to share stories and inspire those around him in spite of his declining health.

Schinova rose from the projects on the south-side of Chicago as a high school dropout to the suburbs in Virginia Beach with a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Mr. Cory joined the Marine Corps at the age of 19 and served during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the States he found work at Winchell's Donuts where he met the love of his life, Mary, in 1979.

In 1981, Schinova met Manuel Menchaca, who would serve as his mentor and friend, and thus began a career in loss prevention. Mr. Cory rapidly rose to the position of Loss Prevention Manager for the Navy Exchange and earned the opportunities to lead teams in Sigonella, Little Creek, Great Lakes, and Norfolk. In turn, Mr. Cory mentored four of his colleagues who also rose to the ranks of Loss Prevention Manager or higher.

Mr. Cory's door was always open and he was especially good at building and maintaining relationships with his colleagues and friends.The stories of Mr. Cory and his teams rivaled those of any TV sitcom. You knew you were “in” with Mr. Cory when you earned your very own nickname or were told what a “wise man once said...”

Upon his retirement from the Navy Exchange in 2006, Mr. Cory returned to work as a substitute teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools before returning to the role of Loss Prevention Manager at the Marine Corps Exchange in Norfolk. After moving to Japan in 2010 he accepted his sixth position as a Loss Prevention Manager at the Iwakuni Marine Corps Exchange.

Born July 22, 1948, son of the late Gussie and Charlie Cory, his legacy endures through his cherished wife, Mary, three daughters: Lacy (Ryan), Grace, and Samantha (Ian), four grandchildren: Precious, Carolyn, Liam and Symphony, and two great grandchildren, Kevin Junior and Khloe. Schinova Cory’s memory will live on with those whose lives he touched and those who shared a part in his story.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 PM, on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Rosewood Memorial Park.