Obituary of William F. Cornell

William Franklin Cornell of Jamestown passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2011 in his home. He was 69 years old. A Chautauqua County native, he was born October 16, 1941, a son of the late George and Helen Franklin Cornell. He was a graduate of Chautauqua Central School, class of 1959. He went on to earn his Associates Degree from Jamestown Community College. After attending George Washington University, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in American Studies and Masters Degree in English Literature from the University of Buffalo, where he graduated summa cum laude. He was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Before his retirement, he was employed by Carriage House in Fredonia. He was also the Data Processing Manager for Hopes Architectural Products where he worked for 26 years. He began his career as an Instructor of English at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio before returning to Chautauqua County to reside close to his family. He was a member of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee, and a parish member of Holy Apostles Roman Catholic Church. He was an avid reader, gardener, runner and basketball player. In addition to his parents, Mr. Cornell is preceded in death by his son Stephen William Cornell. He is survived by his wife of 45 years the former Margaret Norgang; a son Charles (Lori) Cornell; a daughter Kathryn (Kurt) Carlson, both of Jamestown; five grandchildren, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Zachary, Margaret, and Nicholas; two brothers George (Lois) Cornell of Chautauqua, James (Marilyn) Cornell of Allentown, PA; and a sister Roberta Cornell of Palm Coast, FL. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday, June 4 at Holy Apostles Parish, Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Dennis W. Mende will be celebrant. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 on Friday, June 3 at the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake Service will be led at 1:45 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Stephen William Cornell Scholarship Fund at Jamestown Community College, 525 Falconer Street, P.O. Box 20, Jamestown, NY 14702-0020 You may light a candle in remembrance of Bill at www.lindfuneralhome.com.