Cornell Christian

CELEBRATING THE LIFE  LEGACY OF CORNELL CHRISTIAN

Our beloved Cornell Christian, of Jersey City, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at New York Presbyterian Downtown Hospital just four days prior to his 51st birthday on October 27th. The family and extended community are both devastated and saddened by the untimely passing of this youthful soul. Cornell entered this world on October 27, 1971 at New York - Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, NY and forever changed the lives of Charles and Mary Christian, his devoted parents and his siblings Charles, Cornelius, and Lenore.

Upon graduating from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY, Cornell began his illustrious 26 years working for the City of New York. During his tenure with the city, he held various responsibilities for the Department of Homeless Services, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, and the Department of Sanitation ranging from: Contract Management, Strategic Planning, Procurement and Purchasing, just to name a few. In addition to the responsibilities, Cornell also found time to connect with his passions of basketball and entertainment by having accepted a part-time position which spanned more than a decade with the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center.

A true lover of music, and a damn-good DJ, with a savant-like understanding and appreciation for many genres of music ranging from House to Rock and Hip Hop, you could always depend on Cornell to know when the hottest music was dropping or where the best Clubs were across NYC. When he wasn’t “running the streets,” as he would love to say, you could find him volunteering his time coaching youth basketball or baseball, mentoring youth, or supporting individuals who were battling homelessness and substance addiction.

Cornell’s love for life, his children, family, and friends were immeasurable and for those who knew him have plenty of amazing stories to tell. So, whenever you’re looking to uplift your energy just think back to those wonderful moments or simply ask someone to share a Cornell story, because we know that’s what Cornell would want.

With sympathy to his parents and siblings, He also leaves behind his high school sweetheart and life partner - Veronica, daughter - Alexis, sons - Elijah, Isiah, Alexi, and Bryce, nieces, nephews, extended family members and let us not forget his four-legged children Piggy Smalls & Snax that will miss him dearly.

Services are being held for Cornell on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Riotto Funeral Home, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306. Visitation will be at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00PM to 9:00 PM followed by a private cremation. (For GPS navigation, it is best to use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg Street).   In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to offset funeral costs and allow Veronica Negron and their children to lay Cornell to rest.  Donations will be accepted by the family at the funeral home or they can be mailed to: Veronica Negron, 3455 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07307.

For Live Streaming, please follow the links for the services: https://fb.me/e/51clcEjBR  and again  https://fb.me/e/2EmejstZ6