Bruce Cornell

Bruce G. Cornell, age 94, a longtime resident of Long Beach, passed away on June 13, 2017.
Mr. Cornell was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico. During much of his childhood, his family lived in Central and South America, spending summers in Long Beach. He graduated from the Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport and earned his college degree from the University of Virginia at the age of 19. He spent 3 ½ years in service during WWII with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Brown. Upon being honorably discharged with the rank of Lt. Commander, Mr. Cornell returned to the UVA to earn his law degree. Back on the Gulf Coast, he met the love of his life, Anna Gibson Hover, on a blind date. They settled in Long Beach where the young couple started their family. Bruce began his law practice that would continue until he was 90. He served as Municipal Court Judge for the city of Long Beach under two separate appointments. Never adapting to the computer age for his work, he steadfastly used the Underwood typewriter that had been given to him by his grandmother in the 1940s.
He was an avid fisherman and tennis player and he loved to travel. He will be remembered for his generosity, his gentle manner, calm demeanor, and his quiet sense of humor.
Mr. Cornell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anna Hover Cornell and his sister, Dean Cornell Means.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Peggy Hover (Ed) Odenwalder; his five children, daughters Bruce Ann Ducote (Volney) Hayes, Elizabeth (Charles) Wagner, Marian (Craig) Troub, Cynthia Cornell (Kim Ladner), and son, Charles Cornell; eleven grandchildren, Jeffrey Ducote, James Ducote, Anna St. John, Shannon Simmons, Derek Wagner, Keith Wagner, Morgan Patterson, Matthew Troub, Kevin Troub, Jared Troub, and Brandon Troub; and nine great-grandchildren. A special remembrance to his dear friend, Coleen Byrd.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 20 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach at 11:00 with visitation beginning one hour prior at 10:00. Burial will be at Evergreen Gardens Cemetery following the service.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach, is serving the family and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com.
The family also wishes to thank Deaconess Hospice Care, especially Deborah Thomas and Mary Busby.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Foundation.