Rodney Harold Cornell

Rodney Harold Cornell, age 79, of Woodbridge, Virginia, passed away at home surrounded by family on Sunday, July 6, 2025. He was born on December 21, 1945, in Corning, New York to the late Robert Harold Cornell and Alvena Vera (Cook) Cornell. Rod grew up in Blasdell, NY and graduated from Frontier Central High School. He attended both Ithaca College and Hudson Valley Community College and was president of Beta Kappa Phi Fraternity. In 1967, Rod enlisted in the US Navy and served until his honorable discharge in 1970. He was deployed on the USS Neosho in 1969 and served as a Gunner’s Mate Petty Officer Third Class. After his time in the Navy, he began his career in construction management. Over his 40 plus year career, he worked for such companies as Cannon, CRSS, Barton Malow, HITT, Skanska, and Jacobs Engineering. Some of his project highlights were the CN Tower in Toronto, buildings on the University of Michigan campus, Merrill Lynch Headquarters in New York City, Camden Yards Stadium, the Capital One campus in Richmond, Virginia and the UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. He took great pride in his work and traveled endlessly across the country developing business opportunities, overseeing construction operations and witnessing project completion. In 1972 Rod married Lila in Albany, New York. After starting their family in Albany, they moved to Grand Island, New York, and then in 1985 to their Woodbridge, Virginia home. Married 52 years, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His grandchildren lovingly bestowed the nickname of “Peeps” to him. Rod was an avid fisherman and loved to hunt. Each year he and Lila spent many months on Keuka Lake where they had a farmhouse for forty-three years. Rod was a car enthusiast. He loved American muscle cars the most. He owned 29 cars in his lifetime with his favorites being his 1969 VW Bug and his 1970 Oldsmobile 442. Rod loved dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers. Rod was extremely handy and loved woodworking and doing various projects. He loved sports both as a participating athlete and as a spectator. He played varsity football in high school and wrestled on the varsity team as well. He particularly enjoyed watching his son play and coach lacrosse and was a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills and the UCONN Women’s basketball team. He is survived by his wife, Lila Rae (Livingston) Cornell, daughter Elizabeth Cornell Lewis, of Bristow, VA, her husband Scott Carson Lewis, and grandchildren, Caroline Lewis, and Colin Lewis; his son, Rodney Scott Cornell of Gainesville, VA; a sister, Jeanne Barriere, her husband, Ron Barriere, of North Port, FL; brother Steve Cornell and his wife Paula Cornell of Altamont, NY and brother Mike Cornell and his wife Sandy Cornell of Cobleskill, NY. Additionally, he had many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. In lieu of flowers, please take some time to remember your best memories of Rod. You might also choose to donate in Rod’s memory to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A service will be held at Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas, Virginia on Friday, July 18th at 3:00pm with a reception immediately following. Rod will be interred at Saratoga National Cemetery, in Saratoga, NY, with an additional memorial service at a later date.

Rodney Harold Cornell

December 21, 1945 - July 6, 2025