Obituary of Chester E. Cornish

Chester (Chet) E. Cornish, of Elmira, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023, after a brief illness, at Arnot Ogden Hospital/Hospice and Palliative Care. He celebrated 92 years of life on September 2, 2023.

Chet was born and raised in Harrison Valley, Potter County, PA, the son of Charles E. and Ruth (Jeffers) Cornish. He was married to Alyce L. (Morris) Cornish, who predeceased him on April 25, 2011. They would have celebrated 55 years of marriage on July 7, 2011. He was also predeceased by son, Chester J. Cornish, on January 2, 2014, and a brother, Raymond J. Cornish on February 15, 1999.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy C. and John J. Galvin of Elmira; grandson, Adam L. Rice of Philadelphia, PA; granddaughter, Amanda L. (Kelsey) Rice of Wellsboro, PA; John’s children, Julie A. Galvin (Ryan Dunne) of Pittsburgh, PA; and John R. Galvin (Aly Matuck) of Rochester, NY;  stepson, Jeffrey P. (Lori) Morand of Parker, CO; brother, Edward Cornish of Westfield, PA; sister-in-law, Shirley A. Wingert of Elmira, NY; grandson, Byron Cornish of Sun City, AZ; grandson, Matt (Chauna) Cornish of Harrison Valley, PA; great-granddaughter, Lilly and great-grandson, Liam Cornish; special friends, Gene and Sandy Lamphier, of Westfield, PA.

Chet was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served his country in the Korean conflict. He retired from Consolidated Gas Supply Corp. after working for them full-time for 35 years, as well as owning and operating a working dairy farm during the same years.

The family extends its gratitude and thanks to the staff, and his new friends, at The Bethany Village Retirement Home for their affection and companionship that was shown to Chet while he lived there.

A special thank you to the nurses, doctors, and support staff at Arnot Ogden Hospital, 4B wing, for their kindness and loving care of Chet during his final days there with them.

In lieu of flowers, Chet may be remembered with a donation to a charity of your choice.

A private grave-side service, with military honors, will be held at a later date at the Champlin Cemetery, Westfield, PA.