Age 79
On Friday, November 18, 2022, Donald G. Corniea, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully surrounded by love. Donald is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Nancy; sons, David and Kyle; daughter-in-law, Mellissa, and four grandchildren.
Don graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1962 and joined the National Guard out of a sense of patriotism and duty to his country. An intrepid entrepreneur, Don owned several businesses throughout his life, including an auto service station and upholstery company and in later years the Inver Grove Heights Ace Hardware. Don was a cutting-edge design engineer working at TetraPak in St. Paul for many years in positions of engineering and management and was awarded over a dozen different patents during his tenure there.
Cars and Engineering were common themes throughout Don’s life. He seemed to attack many of life’s challenges with an engineering mind set. He found “adventure” in everything he did. The adventures of his life are too numerous for a comprehensive list, but it includes: raising children, ice racing, motorcycling, skiing, boating, camping, scouting, hiking, restoring an old farmhouse, and generally finding the need to modify almost everything he purchased.
He will be missed by family, friends and community members.
A Celebration of Life gathering in his memory will be held at Roberts Funeral and Cremation Chapel, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights on Thursday, December 1st, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 pm with a brief service at 6:00 pm.