Obituary of Corey James Stearns

Corey James Stearns, a roofer, framer and former high school hockey player, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. He was only 24 years old. Corey was born in Winchester. He was one of two children born to Carol (McDonough) and Mark Stearns. He was a lifelong resident of Billerica. As a child, hockey consumed his life. He played in the Woburn Youth Hockey program. He started skating at the age of 3. He was playing on the “Mites” level at the age of 4 and continued playing in the Woburn hockey program until age 17 in there oldest age bracket, “Midgets” level. Hockey came so easy to Corey. He could play both offense and defense effortlessly. His teams played in Lake Placid four times during his career, winning the tournament 3 times and receiving the Bronze Medal once. In the latter case, his team did not lose a game in the tournament, but several ties affected their Gold Medal chances. His teams were State Champions twice and competed in the Regionals and a National Tournament. While at Shawsheen Technical High School, he played on the Varsity team 3 of his 4 years. Corey played both defense and offense during those years. Shawsheen took second place in the State Championship in his Junior year. Hockey was a big part of his life. He loved being on the ice, competing, and the lasting friendships formed with his teammates. Corey graduated from Shawsheen Technical High School in 2010 with his High School and HVAC Diploma. He choose to switch to the roofing trade, where he has worked for the last 6 years. He was employed with a number of roofing companies over the years and had spent the last year specializing on installing and repairing slate roofs. Corey was also honored to be nominated as a young teen to the Student Ambassador program originally started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He needed to receive recommendations from teachers and pass an oral interview. He passed. He served two years and was lucky to represent the United States as an Ambassador in Yellowstone National Park for 10 days and the next year he was honored to do it again by going to Australia and New Zealand for 14 days. He received college credits for the reports he wrote about his travels, things he learned and became a lifetime alumni. Corey was a friend to everyone. He will be remembered for so many qualities including; his great sense of humor, his ability to laugh, and being happy seemingly all the time. He loved going to the beach and the time spent with his girlfriend, Nora. He loved spending time with his family, whether it was in hockey rinks, vacations visiting family in North Carolina, or simply watching his beloved Patriots and Bruins with his family and friends. Corey’s life was tragically taken much too soon and it is difficult for all those who loved and cared for him to accept his passing. They will hold on to their precious memories of a son, brother, grandchild, nephew, cousin, boyfriend and friend, who always left them knowing that he loved them all. Corey was the cherished son of Carol Stearns of Billerica & her companion Rich Rudenick of Woburn and Mark Stearns & his wife Deb of Manchester, NH. Brother of Matthew Stearns of Allston. He was the grandson of Marion & Thomas Stearns of Mashpee, Joanne McDonough & the late Robert McDonough of Carolina Shores, NC. He was the nephew of Ellen LaBella of Woburn, Paul & Heather McDonough of Carolina Shores, NC, Thomas & Debra Collins of Beverly, and Barry & Roseanne Stearns of Fitchburg. He was the cousin of Derek LaBella, Kassandra McDonough, Nathan Collins & his wife Thais, Joshua Collins & his wife Cortney, Maggie Gagnon & her husband Tim, and Ian Stearns. He had two second cousins; May & Sammy Collins. Corey also leaves his beloved girlfriend, Nora DiVittorio of Tewksbury. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Tuesday, February 7 at 9:30 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church, 796 Boston Rd Billerica at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours Monday from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Corey’s name may be made to The Corey Stearns Memorial Fund, 1 Tremlett Road, Billerica, MA 01821. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.BillericaCatholic.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net