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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesMASTER CRAFTSMAN PHILLIP CORNEIRO DEAD AT 88

MASTER CRAFTSMAN PHILLIP CORNEIRO DEAD AT 88

Craftsman, mechanic, community volunteer, friend, Phillip Corneiro died Wednesday in St. Thomas, his home for almost all of his 88 years.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull issued a statement of condolence to his widow, Nina, his wife of more than 60 years, and to their daughter, Mona, and family and friends.
"Mr. Corneiro was well known for his ability and skill as a craftsman," Turnbull said. "The restored St. Thomas Reformed Church, of which he was a member, is a shining example of this work. (He was ) a gentleman and distinguished Virgin Islander."
Doris Commissiong remembered him as a man who never quarreled. "He was always happy and living to help people."
She said Corneiro was born on the mainland, but his mother died when he was only three years old, and he was sent to St. Thomas to live with an aunt. He grew up working on the family farm. He also lived with Commissiong's family for a time.
In the 1920s, when he was still a boy, he helped Joseph Sibilly build Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Mafolie. He worked many years for the West Indian Co. Ltd. in the machine shop and operating the crane loading and unloading bauxite. He interrupted his tenure there for brief stints in two local distilleries, but returned to the company. When the West Indian Company got out of the machine end of the business, Corneiro and a partner bought out the equipment and set up their own business in the Sub Base.
In 1976, Commissiong said, he retired and devoted much of his time to his crafts hobbies, making tortoise shell jewelry and miniature mahogany furniture.
A longtime member of the Gypsy Carnival troupe, Corneiro played a major role in designing and building floats for the troupe and often helped out other troupes as well, she said. He was also a member of the Hibiscus Society and of the Friends of Denmark.
"And he loved to dance."
Viewing will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Thomas Reformed Church, followed by a service at 11 a.m.

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