Irwin Joseph Corning, “Red” of West Hartford passed away on Sunday, Aug 2, 2015 after a short illness . Surrounded by his loving family, Red passed peacefully at home. Son of Edward and Beatrice (Kohler) Corning. Red is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Corning, a sister Marion Menzel and is predeceased by his other siblings; Albert, Ralph and Janet. Red has three children (all the kids seem to be in pretty good health); Tom (and his wife, Jeanie), Jean (and her husband, Danny) and Nancy (and her husband Steve). He has thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his faithful pup, Bailey. Born June 21, 1929 in Hartford, CT., Red was friends to everyone he met. There were many sides to Red and things that he was proud of. Red served proudly in the Air Force. He began his work career at Wiremold. At that time the company was a Murphy-family owned and operated manufacturing institution in Elmwood, where many of the other members of his family have also worked. Red started at Wiremold as a Hyster driver and from there worked while going to night school to become a tool and die maker. He eventually blended his technical talent with people skills and became foreman of the tool room and maintenance department. Red worked at Wiremold for 46 years. Red loved camping, especially when the children were younger, and spent many summers on Cape Cod. He was a Cub Scout pack leader, with Betty as a Den Mother, he guided Cub Scout Pack 85 in New Britain for many years. Red and Betty were accomplished square dancers becoming “angels” to the younger dancers. Red was also a member of the Masons and eventually became a Master Mason and held the highest rank at the Willys-Saint John's Lodge No. 4 in West Hartford Center. Red was an avid handy man do-it-yourself-er. He loved to be involved and “hands-on” with any project at his home or any of his kids' homes. After retiring from The Wiremold, Red went on to have a second career as a crossing guard for the West Hartford school system. “His corner” was Wardwell and the Boulevard, and he was known to everyone who passed by and knew everyone's name. He always carried a large box of dog treats in his car's trunk for all of the dogs. Red was a crossing guard for 20 years. In his final days, Red was tickled that he was “famous” and that his Crossing Guard retirement was honored by the The West Hartford Police Department, and documented by WFSB, and was also on the cover of the most recent West Hartford News. He will be dearly missed. Arrangements are being handled by Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 from 4 to 7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Aug, 6, 10:00 am at St. Brigid Church, in Elmwood (across from the funeral home). Burial with military honors will be at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.