The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-12
Late Joseph A. Corr
 Outstanding Acrobat Toured Country With Act - Acclaimed as Fear less Aerial Performer - Keen Observer of Daily Events = Had Hoped for Early
 Termination of War.
(NEA Telephoto)

known, was he injured, due main- ly to his alertness and quickness of step.
 Joe Corr was only "kid' when he first branched out with Joe Bottomley, Matty O'Meara, and Joe Darling in an aerial act, given under the name of the Van Delmo brothers. Later the name was changed to the Bottomley troupe, in that Joe Bottom was the leader, the head man, and main- stay of the organization. They first teamed together l.. an old ice skating rink in the west end, where their daily jaunts and ma neuvoures were witnessed by many of the friends of the members. Their first engagement was at Forest park in the north end, now better known as Lakewood Park, st a time when high class vaude- vile acts were the order of the day. My, how Old Waterbury rush. ed daily to this spot for recrea- OAOLl III ILlC OuIllllCA oCdoOlI CO WlV- ness the fine display of talent pro- -vided. At that time, no safety net was supplied and Joe Bottomley and his associates riSked their lives with their fascinating stunts or the bar. This was before Elsie Janis made her name in musical circles, because Elsie herself was booked for a week or two at this local resort, and once when the Bottomley troupe was also on the program.
 For years, Joe Bottomley was away from Waterbury travelling all about the land, and spending much of his time with fellow members in Mexico. Eventually, young Joe Corr branched out himself in a horizontal bar act, that brought him fame and much favorable comment, most of his time being spent in various countries of Europe and Australia.
 Waterbury lost sight of him for many years, for he remained on the road for a long time, and never returned until he had trav- eied extensively, and made his name familiar among the best known of such athletes through out the world. He was honored and made much of in various places where he appeared.
 Joe Corr was Waterbury born. His people lived on South Main street, until they moved to their new home in Yates avenue. He was of the type that made friends by the hundreds; he had a cheery disposition, liked to meet people, and felt always as though he knew most people in Waterbury. That was the way many found him, as they met him now and then on the trolley and bus, or in some particular place of business. He liked people; he loved their good will and friendship and tried to show it by his smiling salutation. We ourselves didn't know him very long, and 1t was only ( chance meeting that brought us together. We could see at the beginning, he vas a well versed person, interest ing, and exceedingly conversant with the doings of the da.. No person read more newspapers than he, and this kept his mind active and acquainted with the important happening of world events. He had a viewpoint that was well expressed, but was never os the positive lot.
 Joe Corr didn't want to die; he wanted to live to see our troops come marching home in victory. His good heart worried over the Waterbury boy and his comrades at the front, and every time he read of local boy being killed, the sad news affected his already aching heart.
 And eventually his heart gave out, and death arrived. That's the way some of us die.
 Lots of us are bound to follow, and not so long from now, either, We are sure of that. Our hearts, too are sick, and about ready to give out, we think.