Gerald “Jerry” Cornell, 79, a resident of Punta Gorda, Florida, since 1983, passed away Monday at Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte, Florida, after a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia in 1937, and raised in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Mr. Cornell attended Pennsylvania State University. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served his country with distinction for 23 years as an Artillery Officer and Army Aviator, including two combat tours in Vietnam. Upon his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel, he split time between family homes in Punta Gorda and Breckenridge, Colorado. He enjoyed traveling, sports and spending time with family. Mr. Cornell is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy; his daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Jim Ludowese, of Lecanto, Florida; his son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Laura Cornell, of Riverview, Florida; and grandsons, Jacob and Jason Cornell. A Service of Witness to