Dale A. Cornwell, 71, of Salem, NH and Arlington, VA, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 from complications of COPD/Emphysema, the result of fifty years of cigarette smoking.

Born on March 20, 1948 to William D. and Bessie M. Cornwell, Dale was a life-long resident of Salem, educated in the Salem school system and graduating from Salem H.S. in 1966. Dale enlisted in the US Air Force in 1967 and served time in Vietnam, as well as South Carolina and Georgia, before being honorably discharged in 1970 as a Sergeant E-4. After his military service, he received a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Bentley College, and later on a Masters in Business Administration from New Hampshire College.

After working in the public sector for 10 years, he opened his own practice of accounting and tax preparation in 1982, the late John Titcomb being his mentor. He practiced until his retirement in 2015. Dale enjoyed his accounting and tax work, but more than that, he enjoyed the friendship of all his clients.

Dale is survived by two sons, William Barrett Cornwell and wife Kelly of Londonderry, NH and Ryan Alan Cornwell of Derry, NH; grandchildren Kendall and Jackson Cornwell; former spouse Linda Cornwell of Hampstead, NH; siblings William Lee Cornwell of Shreveport, LA and Susan Cornwell Robbins of Windsor, NH; and several nieces and nephews.

Dale is also survived by his very special partner, Cecilia Cassidy of Arlington, VA, and his best war time buddy Michael Grizzle of Punta Gorda, FL.

Dale wrote this obituary himself, saying: THE FINAL DEATH IS TO BE FORGOTTEN.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 5, 2019 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM followed by a short service and military honors at 7:00 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. Burial of the urn will be private for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dale's name may be made to The Shriners Hospitals for Children — Boston, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA  02114 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.