Henry P. Cornely Jr.

CORNELY Henry P. Cornely, Jr., 94, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2011 at his home. He was born November 11, 1916, son of Henry P. Cornely, violinist, and Ruth Daniel Cornely, pianist and church organist. At age 15 he began cello lessons with his father and together the family was well known as the Cornely Trio. They performed locally and on radio WJAX. He also studied briefly at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. When Mr. Cornely joined the US Army as a volunteer in 1941, his beloved sister, Miss Mary Cornely, joined the trio as Singer of Songs. Miss Cornely passed away in September 1982, after a 21 year career with the Jacksonville Journal and The Florida Times Union. During World War II, Mr. Cornely became an Army Bandleader serving duties in Vienna, Austria and in Manila, P.I., where he played with the Manila Symphony in off duty evenings. When he returned, Mr. Cornely was employed thirty years at American National Bank in San Marco. He was a Loan Officer and later Assistant Auditor. Mr. Cornely was a member of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra from its beginning as Principal Cellist from 1949 for thirty seasons and continued playing through 1987. He conducted the Friday Musicale Junior Symphony 1949 1955. Mr. Cornely was cellist in the six piece Continental Strings in St. Augustine, 1960 1987, at the Ponce de Leon Hotel and later in Sunday Concerts in the Park. He was a Life Member of the Musicians Association of Jacksonville, Local #444, A. F. of M. Mr. Cornely also taught privately and married one of his students, Margaret (Peggy) Young Sturgeon, then living in St. Augustine. They were married October 21, 1971 in Memorial Lutheran Church. His very close friend from youth, William H. Potter was best man and continues to be a generous friend to the family. Mr. Cornely enjoyed playing String Quartets with friends, he also performed solo in church and for weddings. He was an avid captain of Scheherazade and Serenade on the St. Johns River. From his youth he loved animals and cared for his dachshunds: Fritz, Ludvig and Hansel and later Heidi. Survivors include his wife of nearly forty years, Margaret Y. Cornely; his daughter, Pamela Cornely Coyle, M.D. (Edward), Charleston, SC.; sons, Henry Philip Cornely III and Bruce Frederick Cornely, both in the Gainesville area, three grandchildren: Audrey, Alexander (Roni) and Ashley; and two great-grandchildren. Other survivors include two sisters-in-law; Susan Y. Palik, Maryland and Rosemary Y. LaBatt of Ohio; five nieces and three nephews. A Memorial Service will be Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2:00 pm at St. Marks Lutheran Church, 3976 Hendricks Avenue. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com