William L. “Honk” Cornetta, 78, of Franklin, died Saturday, October 21, 2006, at the Bolton Manor Nursing Home, following a long illness.
He was the husband of Frances C. (Carmignani) Cornetta, who died in 1997.
Born in Franklin, he was the son of the late Louis and Lucia (Lamagna) Cornetta and was a lifelong resident of Franklin. He was educated in the local schools and was a 1946 graduate of Franklin High School.
Until his retirement, he worked for more than 33 years as a telephone service and repairman for the former New England Telephone & Telegraph Co.
During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army attaining the rank of corporal and was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed boating, all sports, golf and travel. A longtime summer resident of Wareham, he was a member of the Sacred Heart Council 1847 Knights of Columbus in Franklin, the St. Anthony and Columbus Benevolent Society in Franklin, the Franklin Lodge of Elks 2136 and was a charter member of Fred’s Shed in Franklin. He was also a member of the Franklin Senior Citizens, the American Association of Retired Persons and was a lifetime communicant of St. Mary’s Church, where he served as an usher each Sunday at the 9 a.m. upstairs Mass.
He leaves three sons, William L. Jr., Paul D., and Thomas F. Cornetta, all of Franklin; four brothers, Joseph P. Cornetta of Bangor, Maine, Anthony R., John F., and Richard R. Cornetta, all of Franklin; two sisters, Rose Marie Cornetta and Jean A. Dorr, both of Franklin; and three grandchildren, Dominic M. and David A. and Gianna F. Cornetta.
He was also the brother of the late Frederick Cornetta.
His funeral with military honors will take place Tuesday, October 24, at 8:15 a.m. from the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage Street, Franklin, followed by a funeral Mass. at 9:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Calling hours are Monday, October 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Donations in his memory may be sent to Friends of Franklin, 50 Corbin Street, Franklin, MA 02038.