Cornelius Hubert Collender

Neal was born, Cornelius Collender, on April 12, 1931 in Kerry, Ireland. His father died when he was four years old, leaving his Mother to raise four children on her own. He had two brothers, Mike, who passed away last year, and Hugh, who lives in Colorado, and his sister Stella and her children, Colette and Hugh and their families who still live in Kilkenny, Ireland.

He came to New York when he was 22 and lived with his aunt who sponsored his coming to America. He was drafted into the army during the Korean War where he served his time in France. He became a U.S. citizen in Verdun, France.

After the war he went to City College in New York and earned a degree in chemistry. He worked as a chemist for Air Wick for a few years, and then for Mason Chemical Company where his territory took him all over the East Coast from Maine to North Carolina.

He married and has two sons, Brian, who lives in Virginia, and Sean. Sean married an Australian girl and lives there with his wife Deborah and Neal’s two granddaughters, Tara and Sierra.

He became an avid golfer and tennis player. He won gold medals in Pennsylvania, Arizona in the Senior Olympics. He also participated in the national Senior Olympics and won two Silver medals. He was a true competitor and many times beat men much younger than himself.

In 1992, he met Sally and he became part of a larger family with sally's 4 children and 11 grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by all, and so in his passing he leaves behind a person who was not afraid to live and be a part of those things he enjoyed.

A Memorial Service will be held, Tuesday, May 28 at 4:00 p.m. at Allnutt Drake Chapel, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526.