Richard Lawrence Cornell, 98, of Vero Beach, passed away on Oct. 5, 2015, after a short illness.
He is survived by his two sons, Dennis Cornell of Goffstown, N.H. and Kevin Cornell of E. Granby Conn.; four grandchildren, Lindsay Beal of Stoneham, Mass., Adam Cornell of W. Springfield, Mass., Amy Cornell of Lebanon, N.H., and Jeff Cornell of E. Granby, Conn.; and his great-grandchildren, Bridget, and Fiona Beal, and Colin Cornell.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marcia Dewey, of Springfield, Mass.
Cornell was a native of Springfield, Mass. He was a 1935 graduate of Classical High School in Springfield, and a resident of Vero Beach since 1976.
He retired a plant service manager from New England Telephone after 30 years of service. His many assignments included terms in Great Barrington, Boston, Pittsfield, Palmer, and Springfield.
Since his retirement he has been active in Vero Beach, mostly relating to the high school music and athletic programs. He organized and produced the popular Red, White, and Blue concerts honoring all military veterans, and raising funds for the band. He was also a past secretary and board member of the Vero Beach Quarterback Club.
Cornell was a WWII veteran serving three years in the U.S. Army. He fought with the First infantry division (The Big Red One) from the “Battle of the Bulge” to VE day in Czechoslovakia in May of 1945. He was a life member of the Society of the First Infantry Division, and the 26th Infantry Regiment.
When he lived in the Springfield area he was a 42-year member of the Springfield Turnverein, a life member of the Telephone Pioneers, and a member of the Elks. In Vero he was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, post 3918, a life member of the Vero Veterans Inc. and a former member of the local Elks lodge 1774. He also was a Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians Band Booster.
Cornell began singing as a six year old in the Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, and later sang for many years with the New England Telephone Co. Coral group the “Bell-Aires.” He also sang in a quartet with three other choir members called the “Dial Tones” and they went on to become quite popular locally.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fighting Indian Band Boosters, PO Box 5124, Vero Beach, FL 32961.
A memorial service with military honors celebrating his life will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with Pastor Shelly Satran of Our Savior Lutheran Church officiating.
Mr. Cornell’s remains will be interred in Saint Thomas Cemetery in West Springfield, Ma, next to his wife Marcia.
A Memorial Service with military honors celebrating his life will begin at 11 am, Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with Pastor Shelly Satran of Our Savior Lutheran Church officiating.
