Obituaries (May 25)

Ralph Worden Cornell, Sr.

Died May  31, 1935, Norwich, NY

Ralph Worden Cornell, Sr.

1896-1935

Ralph W. Cornell proprietor of Cornell's liquor store on North Broad street, is confined by illness in the Chenango Memorial Hospital, and expects to undergo an operation some time next week.  During Mr. Cornell's illness his place of business will be looked after by Mrs. Cornell and his son, Worden.  While Mr Cornell has been sick, rumors have been flying about the city that he desired to dispose of his business, but interviewed today by a representative of this newspaper he declared such was not the case, and that he will continue to operate the business although his illness will prevent him from giving his personal attention to it.  Instead, Mrs. Cornell and members of the family will care for the trade. The many friends of Mr Cornell hope for his speedy recovery and early return to normal health.  [Chenango Telegraph, May 28,. 1935]

Ralph W. Cornell underwent an operation at the Chenango Memorial Hospital Wednesday morning for a kidney ailment.  His condition was reported as quite serious this afternoon.  [Norwich Sun, May 29, 1935]

Ralph W. Cornell of 12 King street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], well known local business man passed away at the Chenango Memorial Hospital about 5:30 Friday night after a brief illness.  Mr. Cornell who was born in Smithboro, N.Y. [Tioga Co.], January 12, 1896, had been in ill health for about six weeks.  he had been a patient at the hospital for the past two weeks.  News of his death was a shock to his many friends in this city, all of whom will offer sincere sympathy to his bereaved family. The deceased was a graduate of Utica Free Academy and lived in Utica a great portion of his life or until he came to Norwich to reside 16 years ago.  For 14 years he successfully managed the Mathews store in this city and in recent months had been proprietor of the Cornell retail liquor store on North Broad street.  Mr. Cornell was a member of Immanuel Baptist church at Utica and Norwich lodge, 302, F. and A.M.  He was well liked by many friends, and his untimely passing has cast a gloom over those who knew him best.  Besides his wife there survive four children, Ralph Worden Cornell, Jr., Jane Cornell, William Charles Cornell and Frederick Warren Cornell; his mother, Mrs. Carrie Clive of Utica; a sister, Mrs. William MacCarter of Corinth, Miss.; a half sister, Louise Clive of Yonkers and half brother, Robert Clive of Utica.

Harold L. Coy

Died October 5, 1928, Norwich, NY

Harold L. Coy, 29 years old, lies in the Chenango Memorial Hospital, hovering between life and death, as the result of serious injuries sustained Thursday night at the Lackawanna avenue crossing of the D.L. & W. Railroad, when his Dodge coupe was struck by the Lackawanna, south bound passenger train, due at the Norwich station at 10:19 p.m.  Leaving his place of business, the Norwich Auto Parts Co., conducted by himself and Levi Haynes, Coy jumped into his Dodge coupe intent on going to his home at 6 Adelaide street.  Skid marks on the Lackawanna avenue pavement more than 20 feet from the crossing show that Coy must have seen the train bearing down upon him, and that he applied the brakes and tried to stop his car.  His auto was caught on the crossing, however, and carried a little way when it jammed against a water crane.  The car was a total wreck, and how Coy escaped instant death is a miracle.  He was evidently thrown clear of the machine, as his body was picked up a few feet south of the water plug, and taken in the William Breese ambulance to the hospital, where Drs. Thomas F. Manley and Edwin F. Gibson were called to attend him.  He was conscious when taken to the hospital, but because of the broken jaw was unable to talk.  The train, in charge of Conductor Edward Fairchild of Utica, and Engineer William Knauer also of Utica, was traveling at a slow rate of speed as it was preparing to stop at the Norwich station about 150 feet south of the crossing.  Nicholas Fox, baggageman on the train, saw the accident, and is said to have remarked "this is going to be a close one."  Although the police station is just cross the tracks from the scene of the crash, it is reported by those at the railroad station that not a policeman appeared on the scene for at least half an hour afterward, bringing many caustic remarks from the train crew.  The crossing is guarded by gates during the day but after 7:30 at night there is no watchman on duty there. There is much conflicting testimony as to the sound of the bell of the engine.  Witnesses within hearing distance distinctly recall hearing the clang of the bell, while others just as stoutly maintain the bell was not rung.  Because of a city ordinance, no locomotive whistle of any train in sounded at night.  The victim of the accident is a well known young man and has been engaged in business here for some time.  He is married, his wife being the former Miss Madeline E. Kelly.  He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Coy of 23 Hickok avenue, and a brother of Gerald Coy, who is a salesman for the J.N. Benedict Company   He also has two sisters, Olive and Bertha Coy.

Harold L. Coy, seriously injured Thursday night when his Dodge coupe was struck by the Lackawanna passenger train due at the Norwich station at 10:18 p.m., succumbed to his injuries just before 5 o'clock Friday afternoon, at the Chenango Memorial Hospital, where he was removed after the fatal crash.  Coy suffered from a compound fracture of the lower jaw and internal injuries which caused his death.  Hopes were entertained earlier in the day that he might survive, but later it was admitted that the shock would probably be too severe for him to withstand.  An autopsy was performed at the undertaking parlors of Lawrence & Devine at 89 o'clock Friday night by direction of Dr. E.W. Wilcox, coroner.  Drs. T.F. Manley, E.F. Gibson and L.T. Kinney performed the autopsy.  The victim of the accident would have been 30 years of age on November 14 next.  He was born in this city and received his education in the local public schools, after which he formed a partnership with Levi Haynes in the Norwich Auto Parts in the Eagle hotel block.  He was enroute from his place of business to his home, 6 Adelaide street, when the accident occurred.  Soon after the crash Officer F.J. Clark appeared at the scene, called the ambulance which took Coy to the hospital and otherwise gave assistance.  Coy was a likeable young man and had numerous friends who will mourn his untimely passing.  His death brings a total of four who have been victims of automobile tragedies in this vicinity in the past 12 days.  Two of there were grade crossing accidents.  Besides his wife, Mr. Coy is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Coy, and brother Gerald; also two sisters, Olive and Bertha.  Funeral service are to be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home of W.C. Kelly, 28 Adelaide street, and at 2:30 in Calvary Baptist church, Rev. Norman McPherson officiating.  Interment will be in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Nancy A. (Wood) Coy

Died March 21, 1927

Mrs. Nancy A. Coy passed away at the home of her son Will C. Coy Monday p.m. at 2 o'clock, March 21, 1927, following an illness of 21 days. The 1st of March she suffered a severe stroke of paralysis from which she never rallied, failing gradually from day to day.  The deceased was born in the town of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], June 25, 1846, in the house where she had spent the most of her life.  She was one of two children of Henry and Alvira Wood.  January 25, 1867, she was united in marriage to William Henry Coy of New Lisbon.  Unto them were born three children:  Lena, Verna, and Will C.  Since the death of her husband fourteen years ago, she has resided in her own home until about a week before her illness, was moved to the home of her son in this village where she was tenderly cared for. She and her husband united with the Baptist church forty-two years ago and was a faithful member until her health failed.  We realize that any words of ours would fail to do justice to the departed one as she was so well and favorably known by a large circle of friends. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Verna A. Wills, of Walton; a son, Will C. Coy, of this place; two granddaughters, Marian and Jean Wills, two grandsons, Kenneth J. Coy and Earl Franklin,; two half brothers, two half sisters and a sister; a daughter, Lena, preceded her in death.

Death Notices

Chenango American, August 30, 1860

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst.,James H. [Adair], son of John and Mary Ann Adair, aged 2 years.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th inst., Mrs. Wilbur, wife of Abraham Wilbur, aged 34 years.

In new Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst, Mr. Alva Whitmore, aged 64 years.