John Cornell

Native Staten Islander John L. Cornell, 82, a retired electrician and a loving family man, died Saturday in Hudson, Fla.

Born on Staten Island, he grew up in New Dorp and graduated from New Dorp High School. He later moved to Bay Terrace.

After graduating in 1948, he began working as an electrician for Local 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper from 1951 to 1954. He was stationed in Japan and Korea, and saw duty during the Korean War.

After his military service, he returned to work as an electrician for Local 3. One of his favorite jobs was helping drop the ball at Times Square on New Year's Eve, which he did for about 10 years. He retired in 1992.

He and his wife, the former Sophia (Penny) DeFusco, relocated to Port Richey, Fla. in 1992 and later settled in Hudson.

Mr. Cornell was a member of Local 3 in West Florida. He also volunteered at the sheriff's office in Port Richey and at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson.

He was a parishioner of St. Michael Archangel Catholic Church, Hudson, where he served as an usher.

Mr. Cornell was an avid Yankee and Giants fan and loved running marathons, golfing, and swimming.

Surviving, along with Sophia, his wife of 58 years, are his daughters, Debra Boggess, Donna McCaffery, Doreen Smith and Dianne Gerardi, and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, both Tottenville. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Services: Our Lady Help of Christian's RC Church Thursday, October 4,2012 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Wednesday, October 3,2012 2-4 & 7-9PM

Memorials: In Lieu of flowers, contributions to the Alzheimers Family Association 6616 Rowan Road New Port Richey, FLA 34653 would be appreciated.

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church