Bruce A. Cornwell

Cornwell, Bruce A. ATHENS Bruce A. Cornwell, age 43, of the town of Athens, was taken from us Tuesday morning, February 12, 2008 at home, surrounded by his loving family. Bruce fought a long and tough battle with melanoma cancer. Born February 24, 1964 in Catskill, N.Y., he was the son of Bruce D. and Frances (Reisner) Cornwell. Bruce graduated from Greenville Central in 1983. In 1984, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and received an honorable discharge after three years of active service. He remained in the National Guard for an additional three years. On April 6, 1991, he married JoAnn Irwin and, on March 21, 1995, he and JoAnn became the proud parents of triplet girls, Abigail, Sarah and Rebecca, now 12. Bruce enjoyed being a husband and father and participating in the girls' extracurricular activities, including being a softball coach. He had also served the Athens Softball League as a vice president. He was an avid New York Mets fan and was a member of the United Methodist Church of Coxsackie. Throughout his life, Bruce enjoyed cars, bowling, hunting, cooking, gardening and telling jokes. He laughed the hardest at his own jokes and we will miss his infectious smile and laugh. Bruce was employed at Steifel Laboratories, Inc. in Oak Hill as a facilities manager, where he loved his job but mostly loved the "guys" he worked with. In addition to his parents, Bruce is survived by his wife JoAnn; their daughters, Abigail, Sarah and Rebecca; his sister, Donna Cornwell Huff and her husband Christopher of Sycaway; and his twin sister, Diane Colletti and her husband Steven of Earlton. He will also be greatly missed by both the Irwin and Cornwell families. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Arthur and Maude Cornwell and Frank and Hermina Reisner, who will be waiting for him in heaven with loving arms. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Wong and all the staff at Roswell Park in Buffalo, the United Methodist Church family, the High Hill Methodist Church family, Norman Fuller and family, Bruce's friends and colleagues at Steifel Laboratories and family, friends and neighbors for their love, support and generosity during Bruce's illness. Calling hours will be 6-8 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2008 and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Homes Inc., 4898 SR 81, Greenville, N.Y. A service to commemorate Bruce's life will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 18, 2008 at the United Methodist Church, Mansion Street, Coxsackie. Rev. Robert Grainger and Rev. Neil Irwin will officiate. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Coxsackie. Memorial donations in Bruce's name may be made to "Bruce Cornwell's Children's Fund," c/o Pioneer Savings Bank, 21 Second St., Troy, NY 12180. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Sopris-Murray Funeral Home, Greenville, N.Y.