Kent Brian Cornell

CORNELL Kent Brian Cornell, age 72, husband of Geraldine "Gerri" (Oberg) Cornell of Hayes, Va. and previously of Newtown, died March 14, 2011 at Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News, Va. Kent was born in Connecticut, September 16, 1938, a son of the late Robert and Esther L. Cornell. Before retirement, Mr. Cornell was an electrical engineer for the Eaton Corporation. He was a member of the Newtown United Methodist Church. Kent was a very active member of the Masons and Shriners both in Connecticut and Gloucester, Va. He was Past Master of the Hiram Lodge No. 18 of Sandy Hook, Potentate of the Pyramid Shriners of Milford in 1992, Royal Order of Jesters, Tidewater Shrine Club, Abingdon Ruritan Club, and Achilles Masonic Lodge: AF and AM No. 281. He enjoyed camping and the outdoors. Kent loved his family and will be greatly missed. In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Rebecca Slattery and her husband, William of Gloucester, Va. and Tracy Kean and her husband, Brian of Newtown; a son, David Cornell and his wife, JoAnne of Bethel; five grandchildren, Ryan Blais, Matthew DoVale, Cortney DoVale, Katelyn Kean and Haley Kean; and two great-grandchildren, Ethan Burr and Niccolo Messina. He was prede-ceased by a brother, Robert Cornell. Funeral Services will be held Thursday March 24, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. in the Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook. Interment will follow in Zoar Cemetery. Friends may call in the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown Wednesday March 23, 2011 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6 to 8 p.m. A Masonic Service will be held at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.