St. James Society names honorees at annual banquet

BOSTON--The Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle recently named three honorees at its 20th annual Cardinal Cushing Award Banquet Nov. 4 at Boston College High School. The society recognized Joseph Corcoran, Joseph Milano and Donald Rodman for their charitable works for those in need.

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley in a Nov. 4 letter called the three recipients of the Cardinal Cushing Award, “dedicated individuals” who contributed much to their communities.

“Their service to the charitable and missionary work of the Archdiocese of Boston is a witness of God’s presence in our midst,” he said.

Joseph Corcoran founded the Corcoran Jennison Companies, a pioneer of the mixed-income housing concept, in 1971. The company manages a portfolio of 20,000 multi-family units. He also founded the American City Coalition, which is a nonprofit that plans and implements the revitalization of urban neighborhoods.

Corcoran, a Dorchester native, graduated from both Boston College High School and Boston College. He lives with his wife Rosemarie, and they have seven children and 15 grandchildren.

Joseph Milano, president and CEO of the Union Oyster House in Boston, is a Knight of the Sovereign Order of Malta. He has served as brigadier general in the Massachusetts State Guard and has been chief military aide-de-camp for Governors William Weld, Paul Celluci, Jane Swift, Mitt Romney and Deval Patrick.

Milano, a graduate of Norwich University, is married to Jill, and they have four daughters and eight grandchildren.

Donald Rodman is president of Rodman Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and the Rodman Health and Fitness Center, both located in Foxboro. Additionally, he founded Rodman Ride for Kids, which has raised millions for improving the lives of children, and he is affiliated with Catholic Charities of Boston.

He lives with his wife Marilyn, and they have five sons, nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

The St. James Society was founded 49 years ago by Cardinal Richard Cushing in response to Pope John XXIII calling priests and religious from North America to aid the faithful of South America. In its almost 50-year-long history, over 300 priests have served in the Andean countries. Currently there are about 40 priests serving through the society.