Cory Michael Wisnia

Cory Michael Wisnia, age 74, of Corona, California, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 18, 2018. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Yorba Linda Presbyterian Church, 19301 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA on Friday, August 31. Reverend Lynn Stone of YLPC will be officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Riverside National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. Visitation will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, August 30 at Thomas Miller Mortuary in Corona. Cory was born in Oakland, California on September 10, 1943 to Robert and Audre Wisnia. He grew up on 39th Avenue in San Francisco close to aunts, uncles and cousins. He was the older brother to his sister, Pam and brother Ted. After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School, he attended San Francisco State College for about a year before joining the Navy in 1964. He went to Electronic Tech Communications school on Treasure Island in San Francisco and then was sent to Nuclear Power School on Mare Island. While on leave, he was in serious motorcycle accident and spent the next year in the hospital recovering from his extensive injuries. After his discharge as a disabled vet, he continued his studies at San Francisco City College, then transferred to UC Berkeley where he graduated with a degree in math and science. After graduating from UC Berkeley he worked at a Childrens Camp where he met his first wife Catherine Cushing. Their son, Kale Cushing Wisnia was born in 1970. While living in Tomales Bay, Cory milked cows on a farm north of Marshall while working on his teaching credential at Sonoma State University. Following his divorce, Cory moved to Mendocino, California in 1973, where he was hired at Mendocino Grammar School. For the next 25 years he became part of the Mendocino community, inspiring countless middle and high school students with his love of math and science. Blessed with boundless energy, he played on the local softball team and coached girls' basketball at the middle school. Cory worked in various restaurants as cook, bartender and sommelier and opened a small art gallery and wine tasting room. He participated in town plays and was featured in several works of art. He was one of the founders/creators of the charity wine and food tasting event, “Winesong,” which has become a premier annual Mendocino event. Cory met his wife Kimberly in the early 90s while working with teachers in the California Science Implementation Network. They have two sons, Zachary Alexander, age 23 and Austin Robert, age 20. In 1994, Cory moved to Corona, California and began teaching at Ray Wiltsey Middle School in Ontario. He worked for two years at the Orange County Department of Education, where he was a math and science specialist. Missing teaching in a classroom, he returned to Ray Wiltsey where he taught until he retired in 2010. After retirement, Cory was a sought-after substitute in Lake Elsinore. When Cory wasnt teaching, he could be found on the soccer field either as a referee, coach, or spectator. He was involved with the Yorba Linda Presbyterian Church and painted and designed many props for Vacation Bible School. He enjoyed spending time renovating a small cabin in Big Bear Lake, visiting Mendocino, hiking in Yosemite, and spending time with his sons Kale, Zach and Austin, and granddaughters Sienna and Celesse. He leaves behind his wife of 20 years, Kimberly Wisnia; son Kale Cushing Wisnia and his wife Catherine Reon, and grand daughters Sienna and Celesse; sons Zachary Alexander Wildey and Austin Robert Wisnia; sister, Pam Carlson and her husband Craig, and nephews Brooke Raasch and his wife Sarah, and Dehn Raasch; his brother Ted Wisnia and his wife Sally; sister in law Kelly Perla and her husband Vince, and nephews Alec Perla, Christopher Perla, and Nicholas Perla; mother in law Gail Brewer; and countless beloved cousins and friends. Service Yorba Linda Presbyterian Church 19301 Yorba Linda Blvd Yorba Linda, CALIFORNIA 92886 (714) 777-6822 | Friday 8/31, 10:00 am - 11:00 am Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92518 Friday 8/31, 1:30 pm