Michael R. Cornelius

Portsmouth, NH - Michael R. Cornelius, 69, passed away on January 5, 2023 at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital following a sudden illness. Michael was born on July 27, 1953 in Bemidji, Minnesota, the son of Carl and Louise Cornelius. He was raised in Virginia as his father worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, DC. Michael came to New Hampshire to attend Dartmouth College in Hanover. While at Dartmouth he was active in Native American and World Affairs, and local politics. In 1974, while still a student at Dartmouth, Michael was elected to represent the town of Hanover in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He was an active and successful State Representative, and was appointed as Democratic Whip after only one term in office. While serving in the House he met his former wife, Patti Blanchette of Newmarket. Following the election of Governor Hugh Gallen in 1978 Michael served in the Gallen Administration, first as Special Assistant to the Governor, then Legislative Liaison, Budget Director, State Energy Director, and ultimately State Comptroller, overseeing all state finances. After moving to Newmarket Michael was elected to the Board of Selectmen, and later worked for The Cheney Companies. In May of 2000, following a move to Portsmouth Michael began a successful career as Associate Vice President of Finance for Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services (BILH BS) where he was employed until his death. Michael oversaw the team which was responsible for the daily Finance Operations, including direct oversight of Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Accounting, Payroll and Facilities. He helped lead the organization through many organizational transitions over nearly 23 years. He was described as the "go to" for all things, often volunteering to assist in areas outside of finance operation. He was proud to be a founding member of the BILH Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Michael was an avid season ticket holder for the New York Yankees, often driving to New York City for games, and even traveling to Florida for Spring Training. On any given Saturday or Sunday Michael could be found on the golf course, regardless of the weather, often accompanied by his long-time closest friends and Dartmouth College roommates, Don Hebert and Burt Keirstead. He was a USGA member, and traveled to courses everywhere, including the old course at St. Andrews in Scotland, and most recently this past Thanksgiving, three courses at Pinehurst, in North Carolina. Luckily for Michael his friend Don Hebert is a pilot with a plane to fly him around to sports events, including horse races in Saratoga and Belmont. While in New York City he often saw shows and visited museums. Recently, he attended the soft opening of the Jackie Robinson museum in Tribeca. When visiting his family in Virginia he always spent a day with his longtime friend since third grade and wife, Robb and Esther Turnage visiting museums. In February of 2010 Michael began writing a sports blog, digging into the personalities and experiences of individuals who participated in sports, sometimes connecting current players and events with their elder 'events years before. Michael was a complicated person, often a man of few words, with a quick and sharp wit. He was known for his intellect, and for his bone-dry sense of humor. He was aptly described by a colleague as a quiet unsung hero who got things done. Michael is survived by his sister, Mary Lou Reilly (Texas), sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Charles Fegan (Virginia), brother and sister-in-law, Rex and Linda Cornelius (Florida), 11 nieces and nephews, 14 grand nieces and nephews, 1 great grandnephew and his former wife, Patti Blanchette. Visitation will be from 10 to 11am on Saturday, March 25, 2023 in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home – Crematory, 811 Lafayette Rd., Hampton, NH. Services will immediately follow the visitation starting at 11am in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Portsmouth.

Michael R. Cornelius

July 27, 1953 - January 5, 2023