Cornel Mergeani passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY on January 14, 2021. His wife, Ileana, and daughter, Anca, were able to be by his side. He was born in 1944, in Stanesti, Romania to Constantin and Agora Mergeani (nee Caramihai). From an early age, he dreamt of having the freedom to travel, to speak his mind and the ability not to live in fear. His youth was filled with countless soccer games with friends, swimming adventures in the Danube and a passion for books and poetry. A passion that he would have to the ever end. In May 1966, he would attend a party that would introduce him to the love of his life, Ileana. They married in October 1973 and had one daughter, Anca.
In 1980, he and his wife made the difficult and dangerous decision to escape from Romania, leaving behind their only daughter. They emigrated first to West Berlin, where they would eventually be reunited with their daughter, and then, in 1981, to NY. In the US, Cornel began the difficult life of an emigrant. He was eventually able to realize the American dream and own his own construction company. In good times and in bad, his love for this country never wavered and he never took for granted the opportunities it afforded him. His favorite saying was "God Bless America" and he meant it.
As much as he loved his new country, he never forgot his roots. He traveled often to Romania to see family and his childhood friends, who he never forgot. In Romania, he was able to create a successful beverage distribution company with the help of a fantastic staff. He treated his staff with kindness and respect and cared deeply for them.
For those who knew him well, they would say he was bon vivant. He enjoyed cooking, fine wines, traveling the world and most of all getting together with family and friends. His relationships were everything to him and he wanted to be surrounded by those he loved most. Above all else, family meant everything to Cornel. He loved them deeply and lived to make his family happy and he did just that.
He is survived by his wife and daughter; (favorite) son-in-law Mark; loving grandchildren Andrew and Matthew; brother and sister-in-law Mihai and Geta Serban; sister-in-law Nezira Mergeani and beloved niece and nephew Athena Ribigan and Robert Mergeani. He is pre-deceased by his parents and only brother, Stelian. A hole is left in our hearts that will never be filled.
Visitation will be on Monday January 18, 2021from 5PM to 8PM at Coffey Funeral Home where services will be held at 10;00 AM on Tuesday January 19, 2021 followed by interment in Kensico Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to St. Francis Hospital would be appreciated.
St. Francis Hospital Foundation Office of Development
100 Port Washington Blvd. Roslyn, NY 11576
https://1150.thankyou4caring.org
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