Father Cyril died at Ampleforth on 14th November, being nearly 89. He came here as a boy in 1875 and except for an interval after leaving the School, spent on a Mediterranean voyage for his health, and the few years at Belmont for his novitiate and early studies, the whole of his life was lived at Ampleforth. His final profession was made in January 1887, and he was ordained a priest in May 1890. For a time he had charge of the small mission at Kirbymoorside. Here he once overheard himself spoken of as 'the little stiff'un'. He was a confessor to the School for many years, and was sub-prefect for a period. In spite of his diminutive height he could inspire fear in boys nearly twice his size. The writer recalls an evening when we were sitting round the fire which we had then in the Upper Library; the prefect was ill, and Fr Cyril was in charge. He came into the room, his eyes flashing and accused boys in what is now the Sixth Form of bullying, and turned them out of the room. An incident of his own school days was long remembered. In his last year he bowled the Hovingham XI, a particularly good side that season, all out for 8. All his life he took a keen interest in cricket, and even in recent years would arrange his holiday to coincide with Scarborough Festival.
He was certainly never a weakling. When in the School he was sent to the prefect for twice six, he held out his hands and took the punishment without a flinch or a wink - so the prefect in question related in after years.
Gradually, however, a nervous complaint came over him, and greatly hindered his activity. But for very many years he kept to his post of infirmarian of the monks and of the boys, even after matrons had first arrived and taken over some of his work. A most efficient infirmarian he was, always attentive and kind, but not to be taken in. The M.O. during all those years, Dr Porter, had implicit confidence in Fr Cyril's judgment, and it was justified again and again. In quite a different field too his opinion was sought and valued; Abbot Smith once told a member of the community that he never made an important appointment without consulting Fr Cyril, and receiving a very shrewd opinion. For the last twenty years he lived in almost complete retirement, yet he never lost his gift of humour, and still entertained his brethren not infrequently by his dry amusing remarks and his racy letters. He died after a few days of illness.
May he rest in peace
JAMES CYRIL CORR 14 November 1950
1862 12 Jan$$ Born Huyton, Lancs
1875- Educ Ampleforth
1882 6 Sep Habit
1883 7 Sep Simple Profession Belmont Prior W Raynal
22 Dec Minor Orders Bishop Hedley
1887 21 Feb Solemn Vows Ampleforth Prior A Burge
9 Oct Subdeacon Ampleforth
1889 3 Mar Deacon Ampleforth
1890 24 May Priest Ampleforth Bishop Lacy
Served Kirbymoorside for a short time
In ill-health
1897- to 1929 Infirmarian with some interruptions
1950 14 Nov Died at Ampleforth