Stephen (Steve) Joseph Cornachia, Jr., 75 years old, of Cumberland, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Devlin Manor Nursing Home.

Born on March 9, 1949, in Cumberland, Maryland, Steve was the son of the late Stephen Joseph Cornachia, Sr. and Agnes Jeannine (Reed) Haines. He was also preceded in death by his Uncle Frank Cornachia and Aunt Mary Cornachia, who raised him from the age of four; his grandparents, Marco Joseph Cornachia and Josephina (Pinpenella) Cornachia; cousins Frank Cornachia and Joseph Cornachia; his step-mother, Dorothy Ahern; his father and mother-in-law, Clifton and Maxine Cook, with whom he shared a very special bond and two little dogs he loved so much, Scamp and Mozey.

Steve graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1968 and due to a life altering injury at 16 years of age, he immediately joined the workforce. He spent time working as a truck driver for RC Cola and 7Up in the late sixties before becoming a bread truck driver and then subsequently a supervisor for Stroehmann's Bread in Cumberland. He would often take his family to the Stroehmann's Bakery on Franklin Street when the bread was still made in Cumberland and would talk proudly about how it was the best bread on the market. When Stroehmann downsized, he proceeded to work in a supervisory position at Dolly Madison and Schmidt's Bread Company. After working in the bread business for 42 years, Steve finally decided it was time to retire in 2011.

As a child, Steve was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, but became a member of Kingsley United Methodist Church when he married Janice. Later, the Cornachias joined Centre Street United Methodist Church and worshiped there for many years. He was also a past member of Moose Lodge and the Sons of Italy.

Steve was an avid Fort Hill fan through and through. When his daughter was

in high school, the entire house was strung in red and white with banners decorating the front porch at Homecoming time. If he couldn't make the game due to work, you would hear the games on the radio every Friday or Saturday when they were played. In later years, Steve also became a Frankfort Falcon fan, specifically due to his grandson Brandon and his love of Frankfort football. Frankfort football was always one of the main topics of conversation between Brandon and his Pappy. Steve also enjoyed hearing his granddaughters, Brynne and Lexi play their instruments in the Frankfort band. He looked forward to seeing them performing on the field as well as attending their many concerts and activities. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren. They were his pride and joy.

Steve never knew a stranger. He made a friend everywhere he went with his big, bold personality whether he was flying in a plane to go on a vacation to Bermuda or visiting one of his and Janice's favorite little spots in the Amish farmland of Lancaster, Pennsylvania or Myrtle Beach, SC. He loved to debate and give his opinion on any topic and would keep his family laughing when talking about how he knew all the "naughty" Italian words. Talking about current events and enjoying his black coffee every morning with his friends at the McDonald's on Industrial Boulevard was an everyday ritual that he looked forward to greatly. He enjoyed his weekly outings to Hobo's Restaurant, Kline's and Lindy's Restaurant and loved a yummy plate of D'Atri's rigatoni with meatballs. Steve loved to learn and he taught himself how to do many things, especially around the house. He loved lighthouses and painted several pictures of lighthouses that still hang in the den of their home. He taught himself how to do woodwork and carpentry, allowing him to add two new rooms and a shed to the back of his and Janice's house and he helped his daughter and son-in-law finish the downstairs den of the Hartung home. Tinkering around the house was something that he loved to do. In these later years, he still would try to find things that would keep him busy, but mostly you would find him relaxing in his recliner with his beloved little, Havanese companion, Lola Belle, who was like Velcro to him and would follow him everywhere he went. She is missing him tremendously.

Steve is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Janice Maxine (Cook) and his daughter, Dawn Renee Hartung and husband, Barry, Short Gap, WV. He also leaves behind the three lights of his life, his grandchildren, whom he loved so very much, Brandon Keith Jackson, Brynne Renee Hartung and Alexandra Cosette Hartung, all of Short Gap, WV; along with his brothers, Mike Cornachia and wife, Pam, Springfield, WV, Rick Cornachia and wife, Violetta, North Augusta, SC, and Ed Stafford and wife, Diana, Short Gap, WV; a brother-in-law Gary W. Cook and wife, Karen, Palm Coast, FL and a special cousin, Sandra (Cornachia) Shearer, with whom he was raised and was like a sister to him and a special sister-in-law, Darlene Cornachia. Steve also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Friends will be received at Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, MD on Thursday, November 14th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. There will be a funeral service with Bro. Barry Hartung officiating on Friday, November 15th at 11:00 a.m. at Scarpelli Funeral Home. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Cumberland.

The family would like to thank Tom Bostaph for his excellent care over the last 25 years. Steve thought of you as a friend. Thank you to Dr. Singh for the many years of care for his heart. Thank you to the many home health care nurses and hospice nurses that gave of their time and energy through the last few months of Steve's illness. We appreciate each of you more than words can say. A special thank you to our wonderful neighbors, Joe Russell, Rick and Kendra Shade, Randy and Denise Wilson and Rosa and Joe for all of their help during this difficult time and also to the many friends that have offered help, kind words and prayers. We appreciate and love all of you. Steve and our family have been greatly blessed to know so many wonderful, gracious people.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation can do so to the American Heart Association or the Allegany County Animal Shelter

.