Thomas Jackson ("Tom") Cornell

Thomas (Tom) Jackson Cornell, 92, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, died at his home Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Tom was predeceased by his wife Joan Reed Cornell (d. 19 March, 2018), his mother Elizabeth McDermitt Cornell, and his father Harold B. Cornell. He is survived by his son, Peter (Nancy) Stewart Cornell and their daughter Catherine; his daughter Nancy Lesiw, and her sons Christopher and Matthew; and his daughter Rev. Amy Susan Cornell.

Tom was born in the Brooklyn Hospital, NY, though home was in Montclair, NJ. The family moved to Florida for his father's health. When his father died, Tom and his mother lived with his grandmother, Mary A McDermitt in Philadelphia, PA. In 1938, his mother enrolled Tom in a Cub Scout Pack. It was the beginning of a lifetime involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. After graduating from Ben Franklin High School, Tom worked for several department stores in Philadelphia.

In 1951 Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After boot camp Tom was sent to the Fort Belvar Virginia Army Engineering School. He graduated as a surveyor and was transferred to the Mobile Construction Battalion No. 7. During his time with the Sea Bees, Tom served in England, North Africa, Cuba, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island (discharged 1955).

That same year, 1955, Tom married Joan Reed, and they made their home in Burlington, N.J. He was employed as an engineer with New Jersey Bell. Tom's community involvement included being Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 44 in the Thomas A. Edison Council; member of the Rotary International Club in Woodbridge; past-master of the Azure Masonic Lodge in Cranford; and member of the Knights Templar in Wood-bridge. Tom was asked to be one of the planners for a hospital. When it was completed, Joan (R.N.) transferred to the new Edison Medical Center as a nursing supervisor. With much pride, Tom told Joan, "I built it for you." Tom thanks Suzanne (Sue) Louise Blatchford Cornell for the four years she and he have shared, and living near her son Robert (Erin) Blatchford, and their daughter Reagan in Fort Mill. Tom continued his involvement with Boy Scouts as a member of the Palmetto Council York District Board of Review for Eagle Rank; member of the Rotary International Club in Fort Mill; and as a member of the Catawba Masonic Lodge in Fort Mill (the Lodge recognized Tom for more than 60 years of service with the Masons).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation to the Salvation Army or a council of the Boy Scouts of America (whose service to youth meant a lot to Tom), or to a charity of your choice