E. Martin Martin Cornelio

Lt. Colonel (Ret), E. Martin (Marty) Cornelio, of Avon, very beloved father of Tim and Paula, passed away on July 23rd 2025. He was the devoted husband of our Mom Marie, for over 60 years before she passed away in 2011. Born in Hartford, CT a graduate of Bulkeley High School. He immediately began his military career at 18 years old in the motor pool in the Connecticut Air National Guard, stationed at Bradley Field. Our Dad could fix anything. His contagious people skills along with his mechanical abilities helped him rise through the ranks to become a commissioned officer. We were always proud of our Dad coming home every night in his military uniform. He proudly dedicated 37 years to his career. He was the Commanding Officer of the 103rd Fighter group of the Connecticut Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force. What made our Dad so successful was his willingness to literally take off his shirt to help out with any fighter jet issues, he joined in as a member of the ranks to get a job done.

During our Dad's career he was instrumental at creating the New England Air Museum at Bradley Field, an aerospace museum, located at Bradley. He built a miniature airplane that his nephew Dean Cornelio could sit in as a child during the Military parades!

Our Dad loved to dance, he even did ice dancing! He was an avid reader and did great at crossword puzzles. In his earlier years he liked to bowl which sparked Tim's interest in being a serious bowler. Our parents also enjoyed their German Shepard's, we had 10 of them and loved them all! What I thought was amazing about our Dad and Mom is that they had the same friends throughout their lives, from high school till well into their 90's! Together these 6 couples were in the military together, always partied together and loved their summer homes at the Cape. Their Labor Day Clam Bake was a tradition like no other! They all enjoyed each other, Bob and Jeanette Flavell, Molly and Jim Blanco, Dot and Jack Zemantic, Betty and Nick Carlo and Ann and Frank Brown. To us, their children are our Cape Cod cousins! To have these friendships was a bonus for all of us.

He leaves his son, Tim Cornelio (Jody), daughter Paula (Danny), Grandson Jason (Brittany), Granddaughter Lindsay (Vigo) and their newly born daughter, Alma Iris, brother Carl Cornelio and several nieces and nephews. He was so proud to become a Great Grandfather.

A Memorial Service with full Military Honors will be held Sunday, August 3rd, at 2:00 PM at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc., 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002. For directions or to leave condolences for the family, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.