Fred Cornish

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Fred William Cornish passed away September 29, 2020 at Golden Oasis Senior Living Facility in Howard County. He was 91 years old. He was born to the late Robert R. Cornish, Sr. and the late Isadore Ward Cornish of Cambridge, Maryland.

He was married to the late Thelma Lucille Todd Cornish for 63 years when she died in December 2013. Fred had several siblings that preceded him in death: Essie Mae Woolford, Emily Conaway, Amy Jackson, Leona “Biggie” Cornish Carr, Isadora Brown, Mary Elizabeth Woolford, Luther   Calvin Cornish and Robert R. Cornish, Jr.

Fred was educated in the Dorchester County School System, where he graduated from F.D. St. Clair High School Class of 1946. He completed courses from the Dale Carnegie Institute in 1950.

His hobbies were reading the newspaper, positive thinking books, traveling, playing the guitar,  watching western shows and occasionally cooking. One time, when his wife Thelma was away from home taking classes for American Red Cross in Annapolis, Maryland he tried baking biscuits for his daughter Betty and nephew Donald Woolford for breakfast. The biscuits were overcooked Betty and Donald attempted to eat the biscuits but they were too hard to consume. Fred was proud of the  breakfast he prepared for them and asked them what did they think of the breakfast. They grinned and told him this was a good breakfast J.

He was employed by numerous companies: Ford dealership (Cambridge), Caldwell Casting Company (Cambridge), Cambridge Wire Cloth (Cambridge) and Dupont (Seaford, Delaware). At Dupont, he met the late John Stewart of Seaford, Delaware. They became close friends and Masonic brothers. John mentored Fred into starting his own business: Cornish’s Custodian Service in 1958. In 1970, Fred and Thelma started their transportation business serving the Dorchester County Public Schools. Finally, in 1972 Fred and Thelma became owners and operators of the Cambridge Laundry Center.

Fred was a devoted member of Bethel AME Church. In 2003, Fred was recognized and presented with the exemplarily model of business ethics and ongoing support of church and community award by Bethel AME Church.

Fred was a proud member of the Pride of Cambridge Lodge #50 (Cambridge), King David Consistory #284 (Salisbury), 33 Degree Inspector General & Shriner in Abu La Hab Temple #206 (Salisbury).

Fred was a very loving, caring, father and grandfather to his family and extended his love and kindness to everyone who knew him.

He leaves to cherish fond memories to his only daughter, Betty Lucille Cornish Isom, son-in-law Rufus Isom, one grandson Hasani Isom of Columbia, Maryland and a god daughter, Shivon Jackson of Glenarden, Maryland and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.