Cornelius DeValk, 89, of Fisher Place in Claremont, NH died on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Season’s in Newport, NH.

He was born in New York, NY on September 3, 1923 the son of John and Antoinette (Hazelzet) DeValk.

Cornelius better known as “Connie” was a graduate of Lawrence High School in the class of 1941. He attended Tuft’s University.

In the summer of 1943 he was called to the Air Corp and became a Naval Aviator in the fall of 1945. He was honorably discharged from the Navy Reserves as a Lieutenant in April of 1962.

Connie purchased Howe Motors in 1958 and owned and operated it until his death.

He served on the board of trustees at Valley Regional Hospital, Bank East and was a Rotarian. He was an active member of the community, serving on many committees including the Claremont Industrial Park Association.

He was a very active outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing and above all tennis. He was an avid tennis player and fan.

He was an aircraft enthusiast and spent time flying his beloved Seabee amphibious seaplane around Hampton.

The family includes his wife, Marilyn (Godin) DeValk of Claremont whom he married on November 28, 1948; his children, Richard DeValk and Susan Koledo of Unity, Rob DeValk and his wife, Lisa of Acworth and Diana DeValk and her husband, John Nachilly of Durham; four grandchildren, Cassandra DeValk, Sara DeValk, Jason Leahy and Tyler Nachilly also several nieces, nephews and cousins,

He was preceded in death by his five siblings, Henry, Henrietta, John, George and Walter.

Friends and family may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Monday evening, June 24^th from 6 to 8PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday morning at 11AM with Rev. Father Shawn Therrien, officiating.

Burial will follow in the West Claremont Burying Grounds.