Obituary of Gerald F. Cornell

JASPER: Gerald F. "Jerry" Cornell, 87, of Cornell Rd. joined his loved ones in heaven Monday (March 7, 2016) at his home following a lengthy illness. Jerry was born April 22, 1928 in Jasper to Harold and Maude (Bess) Cornell. On April 21, 1946 in Wellsville, he married the former Kathleen M. Prutsman who predeceased him in September of 2012. He was also predeceased by a daughter Diane Cornell and sister Kathryn Cornell Krusen. Jerry was a dairy farmer all his life, taking over the family farm with the passing of his father in 1949. He was very active in his community where he was a member of the United Church of Jasper, Robinson Lodge #649 F & AM and the Jasper Grange. He also served on the Jasper Town Board for 20 years. He felt one of his biggest accomplishments was following in his father's footsteps serving as a director for the Steuben Rural Electric Corp. for 39 years. He was president for many years and also served as the NYS representative on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Board of Directors. He and Kathleen enjoyed traveling all over the United States, making many longstanding friends and learning the life of cooperatives and how they could benefit the rural areas of Steuben County. Jerry loved to make people laugh and you could always count on him to have a joke ready to share with those whose paths he crossed. Jerry is survived by a son: Barry (Sandy) Cornell of Troupsburg, three daughters: Kathy (Tim) Carnes of Leicester, Cindy Cornell of Greenwood and Jennifer (Bob) Thurber of Greenwood. He is also survived by 9 wonderful grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren as well as a brother: Howard Cornell of South Carolina and nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 11:30 to 1:00 PM Friday at the United Church in Jasper where a Masonic service will take place at 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service with the Rev. David Barnard officiating. Burial and committal service will be in the Jasper Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jerry Cornell's name may be made to either the United Church of Jasper, c/o Sheila Leach, P.O. Box 21, Jasper, N.Y. 14855 or to CareFirst, 3805 Meads Creek Rd. Painted Post, N.Y. 14870.�� Service: Friday: March 11, 2016 1:00 PM�� United Church of Jasper Jasper, N.Y.�� Visitation: Friday: March 11, 2016 11:30 - 1:00 pm�� United Church of Jasper Jasper, N.Y.��