Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.
Cornelius S. Ball was born on December 26, 1916, to Teresa V. and Joseph A. Ball. He had three sisters Gertrude, Dora, Sophia and a brother Bernard. In Rye his family lived at 7 Hillcrest Lane and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Cornelius attended Rye schools and was a Rye High School Graduate. He married Audrey Cullen on April 20, 1940. They had one child during their marriage. He enlisted on February 19, 1943, in New York City, New York, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was 26 years old.
Date of Birth: 12/26/1916
Died On: 1/5/1987
Street Address: 7 Hillcrest Lane
Service Number: 32810681
Branch of Service: U.S. Army-WWII
Cornelius was stationed in northern France. He was one of the guards during the Potsdam conference in August 1945, when the leaders of the major Allied nations met after the defeat of Germany. He was discharged on Dec. 18, 1945 receiving the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation and the Africa-Middle East-European WWII Victory Medal.
Post-war, Cornelius worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 42 years and was Rye’s postmaster for 30 years, retiring in 1977. He was a longtime volunteer for the Poningo Hook and Ladder Co. of the Rye Fire Department. Cornelius was the chief from 1951-1953.
He was a member of the Westchester County Postmasters Association, the Rye/Port Chester Old Timers Association, and a charter member of Rye/Port Chester Ex-Fire Chiefs Association. He was also an officer in the Lions Club of Rye and a 25 year member of the Knights of Columbus.
Cornelius S. Ball, who served as Rye’s postmaster and fire chief, died Monday, January 4, 1987, at the Port Chester Nursing Home. He was 70 and had suffered from a heart ailment. Mr. Ball was transferred to the nursing home from United Hospital in Port Chester a few days before his death so he could be surrounded by his loved ones. More on Ball.
