Former Binghamton city councilman John Cordisco has died. He was 68.

Cordisco - a longtime North Side resident - served on city council from 2000 to 2007. He also operated Cordisco's Corner Store at Chenango and Robinson streets for several years. He sold the store in March 2021.

Cordisco Corner Store was located at 308 Chenango Street in Binghamton. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF New
Cordisco's Corner Store was located at 308 Chenango Street in Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Cordisco was unable to seek reelection in 2007 because of term limits but he later tried to return to council. He ran unsuccessful campaigns in 2015 and 2019.

Mayor Jared Kraham said he got to know Cordisco during his two most recent bids for city council. He noted you couldn't go into his store without realizing he was "a  really proficient and professional chess player."

For many years, Cordisco hosted a charity chess tournament at his store.

Cordisco was passionate in speaking out on local and national political issues. He enjoyed discussing current events on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program either in the studio or by phone.

Although he was a Democrat for most of his life, he changed his party affiliation to Republican in 2014

Cordisco enjoyed expressing his views in an online podcast. In the final installment posted on YouTube on November 6, he noted he hadn't been feeling well. But he spent a few minutes celebrating what at the moment was Donald Trump's projected victory.

Cordisco said: "I'm delighted. Absolutely delighted."

John Cordisco inside his convenience store on September 24, 2020. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
John Cordisco inside his convenience store on September 24, 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saints John & Andrew Catholic Church at 1263 Vestal Avenue in Binghamton on Thursday at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: email bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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