Lake Carmel Loses a War Veteran and Firefighter

Cornelius Kemp Father Vincent Howley remembered Cornelius Kemp best: “Corny was a gentleman—a man who risked his life during World War II and a volunteer who served the Carmel Fire Department with pride and distinction who was looked up to by younger heroes each and every day of the year. Corn was the genuine article.”

The priest presided over Kemp’s funeral last week at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Lake Carmel before the 94-year-old lifelong resident of Carmel was laid to rest at St. Lawrence O’Toole Cemetery in Southeast.

Kemp was a family man—a devoted husband to Frances and his daughter, Patricia.

He was athletic, having played football, baseball, and basketball in school in addition to ice-skating on Lake Gleneida in winter.

Patricia recalled how her dad was “always willing to help anyone in need, from community organizations to a total stranger who broke down on the road and needed help changing a flat tire.”

A firefighter places a red carnation on the gear worn by CFS Honorary Chief Cornelius Kemp outside CFD headquarters last week as fellow firefighters stand at attention when the funeral procession passes the firehouse for Kemp’s final alarm. During his more than 40 years employed with the U.S. Postal Service, Kemp gave a personal touch on which people still comment. Donald and Natalie Townsend recalled Corny’s “wonderful demeanor. If you needed an extra stamp on that letter Corny would take care of it for you without hesitation. He would never think of returning the letter for a penny or two of postage due.”

Kemp was a parishioner at St. James Church, where he was a member of the Ushers and Holy Name Societies.

During the Second World War Kemp served as a sergeant in the Pacific theater. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and held office in the American Legion. Kemp served on a committee that selected high school students to attend Boys State each summer at a time in U.S. history when patriotism was waning and membership in the legion had declined.

Kemp was a beloved member of the Carmel Fire Department—an organization he joined at the age of 20. In 1994, the fire service recognized Kemp as an Honorary Chief, which his daughter remembered was one of “dad’s proudest moments. He loved to march in parades, and, in later years, ride in a chief’s car during the festivities.”

Carmel Chief Mark Earle said Kemp was a “legend in the fire service. The man served for 74 years as a volunteer, which is unprecedented in our county’s history. Corny was a treasure and he will be missed.”

As the casket containing Kemp’s remains was placed into the ground, pallbearers—firefighters, each wiping away a tear—placed a white glove on the coffin while family members adorned the casket with red roses. Father Howley recited a final prayer. It was touching moment.