'He loved Corning': Longtime City Councilman, volunteer Warren Blackwell remembered
Warren Blackwell, 89, a former Corning City Councilman and longtime volunteer, died Sunday at his home on Corning's northside.
Blackwell was remembered by friends and family as a community stalwart.
“He was a gentleman. A man with integrity,” said Rose Blackwell, his wife. “Everybody who really knew Warren felt that way. He was very loved.”
Blackwell worked at the Ingersol-Rand Foundry in Painted Post, and later retired from Dresser-Rand. Once retired he served as a Corning City councilman for 16 years, volunteered at the Corning Cancer Center, and dressed up as Santa Claus at several youth events.
“He was a driver for the patients from the Corning Cancer Center,” Rose said. “He was so sympathetic to those patients dealing with cancer. His immediate family dealt with cancer in the past, so he understood what those patients were dealing with.”
Cathy Grottenthaler, Warren’s daughter, called her dad an incredible father figure for all of his family.
“He was very supportive, loving and caring,” Cathy said. “He was always interested in going to his grandchildren's soccer games and lacrosse games, supporting them on the sidelines. He was just a wonderful man, a pillar of strength for everybody.”
Joe Lando, a longtime friend of Warren, said he was "the greatest and the funniest," as well as a man who worked to better Corning.
“He loved the City of Corning and did whatever he could to help the city,” Lando said. “He was good time Blackwell. If you were with him, you were guaranteed to have a good time.”
Al Lewis, a former Corning City mayor and alderman, called Warren a friend.
“I worked with him when he was on the Corning City Council when I was an alderman and later the mayor,” Lewis said. “He was always a team player. He was just a good guy. I’m sad that he has left us, but he’s in a good place now. God will be good to him because he was a great person."
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Ken Bruielly, who was a student at Northside High School with Blackwell, said Warren's presence made every situation better.
“What I will miss the most about Warren is if you wanted to go somewhere and have a good time, he always wanted to go with you,” Bruielly said. “And you always had a good time, no matter what you were doing. He was a good boy, I tell you, and a hell of a lot of fun.”
Corning City Manager Mark Ryckman said he worked with Warren closely on various city issues.
“We also served together on the Corning Intown District Management Association’s Board of Directors,” Ryckman said. “He helped build the organization from only providing oversight of the Centerway Bridge and parking garage to one which focuses on a wide range of maintenance services, marketing, and special events. Warren always had the city’s best interest at heart. He will be sorely missed.”
Ryckman said the city’s flags outside of City Hall are at half-staff in honor of Warren Blackwell.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Haughey Funeral Home, 216 E. First St., Corning. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at St. Mary Church, 158 State St., Corning.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: Warren Blackwell impacted Corning on city council, as volunteer
