A. Murray Cornelius, 94, of Collinsville, Illinois, passed on December 4. Murray and his family resided in Rye, New York. Before coming to Collinsville, he and his wife Irene lived briefly in Villa Park, Illinois, and Ocala, Florida,

Murray was a graduate of Carnegie Tech (Now Carnegie-Mellon University) with a B.F.A. in Music Education. He graduated from Teacher's College, Columbia University, receiving an M.A. and Professional Diploma. For 28 years he taught instrumental music throughout the Rye, N. Y. School System.

He served in the US Army Air Forces Band during WWII as a tubaist and arranger. While stationed at Bolling Field, he met Irene Norton, a member of the Women's Air Corps. He and Irene were married in 1945 in the chapel at Bolling Field.

Murray was a dedicated and inspirational educator who also arranged and wrote many musical pieces. Compositions included suites for band, marches, polkas, and music for various ensembles and church anthems. His grandchildren were very proud of the pieces he wrote for their school bands. He greatly enjoyed playing various instruments in many community organizations in New York, Florida, and Illinois.

Murray is survived by his wife Irene of 68 years. Others left to honor his memory include daughter Karen (Joe) Getty; daughter-in-law, Linda Cornelius; grandchildren, Cadence Cornelius (Eli Eijadi), Alex Getty, and Christie Bjornsen. He was preceded in death in 2010 by his son William Cornelius.

Murray's gentle nature, optimistic spirit, and innate talent will be greatly missed by his family.