Alumni
November 6, 2024
He loved to dance, play golf, cheer on Pilot athletics and advocate for Catholic education. His smile was an unmistakable gift that brightened our Bluff for three-quarters of a century. Today, the University of Portland community mourns the passing of Albert (Al) Corrado, ’55, ’01 Hon., who died at home October 8 surrounded by his wife, Sue, and his family.
A devoted community leader, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who lived a purpose-filled 90 years, Al Corrado leaves a legacy of love and good works scattered throughout his beloved hometown.
The Corrado family celebrated Al’s life with a Funeral Mass of Resurrection at the Southwest Portland parish Al and Sue helped found—St. John Fisher Catholic Church. Central Catholic High School honored the “extraordinary life” of an alumnus whose many charitable gifts over the years include the institution’s Corrado Family Library.
Here on The Bluff, students living in the residence hall that bears his name hung a wreath in his honor and signed sympathy cards for an extended Corrado family that includes several UP alumni.
“Stated simply, the University of Portland has known few finer friends than Al Corrado,” said President Robert D. Kelly, PhD. “A dedicated alumnus, ardent supporter, and Life Regent, Al left an indelible mark on The Bluff.”
“We remember Al as a man whose life shone brightly with faith, love, and dedication—a true servant of God in his love of his family, and all things Holy Cross and UP,” added Rev. Edwin Obermiller, CSC, Special Assistant to the Vice President for University Relations, who offered the homily at Al’s funeral.
Born in downtown Portland during the Great Depression, Al first thought he’d follow his Northern Italian immigrant parents into the grocery store business. Around the time he started dating Susanne during their high school years, Al’s dreams turned to attending college.
“I got this crazy idea that I would go on to the University of Portland,” he reflected in his commencement speech to UP’s 2001 graduating class. Exactly 50 years prior, in 1951, he recalled enrolling at UP as a “Day Dog,” a commuter student who worked odd jobs and joined Air Force ROTC to put himself through school. Al and Sue were married in 1953, he graduated in ’55 and Lieutenant Corrado served at military bases in Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma before the family settled in Portland.
After helping launch a brokerage firm, which eventually became Columbia Management Company, Al successfully served as a partner for more than 40 years.
Al and Sue raised seven children: Nick, Greg, Chris (UP Class of ’82), Matt, Peter (’05 MBA), Andrew, and Melissa. Four of his 19 grandchildren followed Al’s trail to UP (Sam ’01, Suzann ’11, Carly ’11, Maddie ’12, and Matt ’12), and the Corrados currently count 21 great-grandchildren.
A recent obituary noted that friends, faith and family were dearest to Al’s heart. Over the years, Al and Sue gave generously to Catholic Charities, Serra Club of Portland, and, in countless ways, to the University of Portland. Al joined UP’s Board of Regents in 1991 and would go on to serve as Board Chair from 1996–2002. “It was a great responsibility, but I thrived on it,” he later reflected on his time as Board Chair.
“Al provided exceptional leadership to the University’s Board of Regents,” said current Board Chair Timothy J. Morgan ’86. “Visionary, principled, dedicated, humble, and kind, Al kept the Catholic, Holy Cross mission of UP as our Board’s ‘north star.’”
“Our Board will strive to honor Al’s legacy by doing what he did best – being unwavering, faithful servant-leaders of the University.”
Al and Sue’s longstanding commitment UP led to the 1998 opening of Corrado Hall, the first new residence hall on campus in more than 30 years. The former “Day Dog” commuter student had come full circle, telling The Beacon during the hall’s construction that on-campus living is “part of the Holy Cross tradition of teaching students.”
“Countless students have benefitted from his support for scholarships and University programs,” said Dr. Kelly. “In addition to Corrado Hall, this cherished family’s name also appears on our rowing dock on the Willamette.”
“We give thanks for Al's steadfast support, we pray for his eternal repose, and we ask that God grant comfort and consolation to his beloved wife Sue and the Corrado family.”
Wrapping up that 2001 UP commencement speech, after proudly accepting an honorary doctorate for public service, Al—who championed this University first as a student, then as a fan, leader and lifetime benefactor—offered wisdom to the graduating class:
“There’s something magical here, a chance to find what you might be at your best.”
“I believe that the University of Portland at its best is a seed, a kernel, a nugget inside you. Something happened to you here…something that changed you…”
“It’s different for every one of us, that seed. But it’s there now, inside you, and it will be there all your life. My only advice to you today is this: Let it grow.”
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