Born Emil Lewandowski on Feb. 5, 1941 in Buffalo, he rose from humble beginnings on Buffalo’s East Side to the top of the music world.

Cory joined the U.S. Air Force right out of high school, serving from 1961-1963. He then sang with a number of Buffalo bands prior to moving to Los Angeles.

He was the co-founder and lead singer for the immensely popular band, Three Dog Night, which produced more than 20 top hits in the late 1960s and 1970s.

A world-renowned rock star, Cory preferred to remain close to his Buffalo roots while continuing to tour with Three Dog Night. For the last 20 years, he enjoyed the peacefulness of small-town living in the Dunkirk community, where he was able to pursue his passion for fishing. He was a devoted family man who was fond of playing strategic war games in his spare time.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary J. (Catalano) Wells, whom he married Jan. 27, 1965; two daughters, Corrie Wells-La Frenaye and Dawn (William) Cussins; three sisters, Chris (Donna) Kosmowski, Susan (Michael) Lauer and Kathy Wojcik; one brother, Teddy (Jackie) Kosmowski; five grandchildren, Jake Lyon, Lanna Lyon, Oliver Lyon, Colton La Frenaye and Sophia La Frenaye; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sophie (Lewandowski) Kosmowski; and two brothers-in-law, Frank (Linda Cruse-Catalano) Catalano and Richard (Candace) Catalano.

Private memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240; American Childhood Cancer Organization, 10920 Connecticut Avenue, Suite A, Kensington, MD 20895; or Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 East Chestnut St., Dunkirk, NY 14048.

Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, Dunkirk.