Francis G. Cornelis Sr.

Francis G. Cornelis Sr. of Woodbury, died December 6, 2010 after a long battle with Alzheimer's at the age of 90. He was born November 3, 1920 in Ossining, N.Y. to the late Terence Cornelis and Loretta Graham in New York City. He was raised in Ossining, N.Y. and attended Renselear Polytechnic Institute prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy where he served from 1942 to 1945 as a Seaman 1st class on the USS Parle DE708. While serving he earned the European, Middle East, Asiatic, Pacific, and Philippines Liberations medals. Upon returning from service, his entrepreneurial spirit took him in many professional directions. He had a passion for the theater, including being a member of the Beechwood Players Sum-mer Theater and Actors Equity in the early 1950s. He served as captain of the Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. volunteer fire department prior to meeting his beloved wife of 60 years, Theresa. He moved his young family to Brookfield in 1964 where he was very active in community affairs, including serving on the Democratic Town Committing, Zoning and Planning Commission and VFW Post 1021, as well as serving as Justice of the Peace. He loved jazz and was an avid sport car enthusiast. One of the highlights of his life was when he had the opportunity to drive his 1966 Aston Martin at Lime Rock at the age of 70. He moved to Woodbury and was a devout Catholic and communicant of St Teresa's parish since 1997. Survivors along with his wife Theresa are daughter, Christine Staskiewicz and husband, Tom; son, Graham and wife, Missy; son, Timothy and wife, Jane; daughter, Lauri Bates and husband, Dan; and daughter, Catherine. He is also survived by five much loved grandchildren, Trevor and Tristan Cornelis, Gabriella and Haley Bates and Casey Cornelis. He is also survived by brother, Robert and wife, Laura; nieces, Cindy Merend, husband, Allen and Claudine Cornelis; and grandnephew, Thomas Merend. He was prede-ceased by his brother, Terence. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St Teresa's Church of Woodbury, Children of the Light Mission Attn: Father Bob or St Jude's Children's Hospital, Graymoor of Garrison, NY or the Lutheran Home of Southbury Residents Fund in thanks for all the wonderful care given to Fran during his illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Teresa's Church, Main St. South, Woodbury. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown with military honors. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 2 School St. To place an online condolence, please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.