Michael Cornale, 61 – a father of three, a counselor to many, and a friend to all – passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 4, with the same sense of humor and graceful defiance with which he lived. Mike grew up on the Southside of Milwaukee, the first of five children to Robert and Lois Cornale. He was proud of his parents and where he came from. He loved to talk about his father, “Bubba,” who had just an eighth grade education but worked three jobs his entire life to support their family.
Mike was the first in his family to graduate from college. He was a superb student who excelled at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point – “the Harvard of Central Wisconsin,” he would say. Eventually completing his PhD coursework at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he never once received a grade below an “A.” His sons assume he also walked miles uphill to, and from, school. While in college during the Vietnam War, Mike served in the Army National Guard. His service was honorable, except for that time he fell asleep at the wheel of a Howitzer and crashed into a tree. As a Madison-area School Psychologist, Michael made the world a better place for thousands of young people by helping them overcome obstacles to achieve their God-given potential. While working at Stoughton High School, Mike met and married Nancy Crassweller and received his three greatest blessings – his sons Nick, Sam, and Joe. He loved all three equally and unabashedly. They were his proudest achievements and serve as his lasting legacy. Any of their successes in life are due in no small measure to his love and support.
Mikey was a consummate storyteller. He was a lover of history, genealogy, fish tanks and politics – put any combination of those in a sappy commercial and his eyes couldn't stay dry. He wore his emotions on his sleeve but never let them detract from his remarkable strength. That was the proud Italian in him. His facial hair made lesser men envious and somehow his terrible, recurring jokes remained funny throughout his life. Michael spent some of his earliest years living in and around lighthouses – his grandfather was a lighthouse keeper. Mike was most at peace near the water, where he taught his boys the art of skipping stones and the importance of humility when they didn't catch any fish. This was important, because they rarely caught any fish. Most of all, Michael loved Jean Hoffman – his wife, the rock of their family, and the woman with whom he spent the happiest years of his life. Together, they spent many nights surrounded by laughter, good food, great wine and family. Jean poured her heart and soul into caring for Michael during his final, difficult years. “I didn't know love until I met Jean,” he told a son. They shared four beloved pets – Cosmo, Harriet, Gus, and Sophie – who gave Mike unwavering joy and love during times good and bad. Good night sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Michael is survived by his wife, Jean Hoffman; three sons: Nick (Seattle), Sam (Washington, DC) and Joe (Minneapolis); Sarah Goodman, a beloved stepdaughter who Mike loved as his own, and her partner Jon Ripa; a stepson, Eli Goodwell, his wife Nichole, and their beautiful son Ari; a stepdaughter, Gillian Barrow, husband Simon, and their newborn Adelaine. Mike is also survived by his four siblings – Shelly, Melanie, Kevin, and Tim, and six nieces and nephews – each special to Mike and his family.
A celebration of life will come in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests donations in Mike's name to Agrace HospiceCare or his treasured YMCA of Dane Country.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
& Cremation Service
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com