Winthrop “Wink” Corey, a longtime champion of ballet in Mobile, has died.

Classical Ballet of Mobile confirmed the news in a Facebook post Wednesday, as did Mobile Ballet.

“We at Classical Ballet of Mobile have heavy hearts and tears in our eyes, as our beloved Mr. Winthrop Corey, Artistic Director Emeritus has passed away this afternoon after a long illness,” the notice from that group read. “Thirty years ago he brought to Mobile a rich legacy of ballet training, costuming, and spectacular performances. We are grateful for his time with us and pledge to continue in his legacy at Classical Ballet of Mobile. He will be greatly missed by all in the Mobile arts community.”

Mobile Ballet said it was “deeply saddened.”

“Mr. Corey served as Artistic Director of Mobile Ballet for nearly 30 years, beginning in 1988,” said that organization’s post. “His presence was instrumental in shaping the Mobile arts scene through the years and bringing high quality training and full-length classical ballet productions to the community. … Through his artistic achievements and training and mentorship of dancers, Mr. Corey leaves a legacy of enriching the lives of many over several decades. With heavy hearts we share in mourning his passing and celebrating his life. Our heartfelt sympathies are with his loved ones.”

According to an obituary published at www.ascensionfuneralgroup.com, Corey, born July 30, 1945, was 77.

Corey’s influence on the performing arts in Mobile was equaled by few. He was a full-time faculty member of the Joffrey Ballet School in New York in 1988, when he visited Mobile to conduct a performance of “The Nutcracker” presented jointly by Ballet Mobile and Bienville Ballet. The two schools merged as Mobile Ballet, and Corey was hired to lead it. He remained with the company until 2016.

In a 2008 profile, Press-Register Arts Editor Thomas B. Harrison wrote that “Over the ensuing 20 years, Corey has staged and choreographed full-length productions of ‘Giselle,’ ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Swan Lake,’ and two original ballets, ‘Dracula’ and “A Streetcar Named Desire.’ He continues to attract internationally respected guest artists and is known for his costume designs and classic tutus. The company has two studios, in Daphne and Mobile, which train more than 500 students. More than 9,000 area students are introduced to ballet each year through Corey’s program ‘Discover Dance.’” Corey later added an original “Snow White.”

In 2017 he became artistic director of Classical Ballet of Mobile, later shifting to artistic director emeritus. In announcing his hiring, the company noted that his early career included being a principal dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada. In that capacity he earned praise from Time Magazine and the New York Times while dancing opposite Rudolf Nureyev in Jose Limon’s “The Moor’s Pavane.”

Corey “passed away peacefully at the age of 77, embraced in love by his son and daughter,” said the obituary. “Mr. Corey was pre-deceased by his dear friend Carl Belk. He leaves behind his elder sister Betty Gross and younger sister Cathy Green and their families, daughter Elizabeth DeFanti, son-in-law Adam DeFanti, and grandchildren Maxwell and Isabella DeFanti, son Christopher Corey and daughter-in-law Erica Manzotti, and grandchildren Mila, Isla, and Mason Corey, and dear friends, Cynthia Zipperly, David Beech and Philip Vinson, Rhea Mostellar, Ray and Pam Thompson, and Jan Johnson, among many others.”

A celebration of Corey’s life will be held at a later date, according to the obituary.