 Cornelius Power was born to Irish immigrants William and Katherine (Kate) (née Dougherty) Power in Seattle, Washington.He had five siblings, four of whom selected lives in religion as well.After receiving a public education in Beacon Hill from 1919 to 1923, Power attended St. Mary Parochial School from 1923 to 1927, whence he entered O'Dea High School before leaving a year later for St. Joseph College in Mountain View, California.