Surrounded by family, Dr. Roy Barry Corbin peacefully lost his fight against pancreatic cancer on April 10, 2014. Born on July 8, 1950, Roy grew up in the Bronx, New York and moved to Maine on June 7, 1977, bringing his kindness and genuine sense of humor to a podiatry practice like no other. Regularly seeing ailing patients in the hospital imbued Roy with a deep sense of empathy and ceaseless appreciation for the simple gifts of everyday life that remained right until the end.
Aside from continuing to root for the NY Giants and Yankees, many would be surprised Roy was not a native Mainer. He spent the little free time he had trawling around Green Lake or off the coast, ice fishing at Rockwood, or camping, snowmobiling, skiing, biking, and hiking throughout the state. His city roots did show when he picked up a harmonica, and those who had a chance to see “Orrington Slim” play know his skills were something special. A graduate of Manhattan’s High School for the Performing Arts, of “Fame” fame, he also could be quite a showman, never forgetting the lyrics to famous show tunes or resisting the temptation to share them with those around him.
Roy was known for whistling those tunes while he worked, whether in his office, performing surgery, on a house call (a rarity for modern doctors), or at the nursing homes that welcomed him when he began practicing- despite seeing an average of 50 patients per day and performing up to a dozen surgeries per week, until last year Roy still made monthly visits to Katahdin Nursing Home in Millinocket because it was the first nursing home to give him business. As a foot and ankle surgeon specializing in diabetic wound care, Roy saved literally thousands of legs. He was also very proud of his sports medicine practice and served as the University of Maine basketball team podiatrist. Roy’s skills were recognized nationally as well, as the past President of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and President-Elect of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. He was also a devoted member of Bangor’s Jewish community and a proud former board member of the Retired Seniors Volunteer Project.
Dr. Corbin is survived by his parents, Albert and Hope (Gittleman) Corbin; his loving sons, Brandon and Garrett; daughter-in-law, Katie; sister, Lorayne; and wife, Susan Reisman and her children, Nicholas and Lindsay; and countless members of the community he helped. To say he was an exceptional man who will be deeply missed is a vast understatement. May we all follow his selfless, grateful, cup half-full example.
Funeral services will be held noon, Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Jewish Funeral Chapel, 118 Center St., Bangor. Interment will be in Beth Abraham Cemetery, Mount Hope Avenue. A memorial visitation will be held at the home of Dr. Corbin and Susan Reisman, 223 Kenduskeag Ave in Bangor, following the interment until 6 pm and Monday noon to 5:30 pm.
Those who wish to remember Dr. Corbin in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Beth Abraham Synagogue, 145 York St. Bangor, ME 04401 or to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, NY 11714. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.