Obituary of Nicholas J. Cortese

Nicholas John Cortese Sr., a lifelong resident of Middletown, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2016 at home. He was 90. The son of the late Pasquale and Philomena Fotino Cortese, he was born on May 14, 1926 in Gerardville, PA. Nick married the love of his life, Marietta Romano Cortese on June 6, 1948. They recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Nick also recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a wonderful gathering of family and friends at DeStefano's Olde Erie Brew Pub in Middletown. Following Nick's graduation from High School, Nick joined the U.S. Navy and served his Country during World War II from 1944-1946. Nick began his work career as a " jack of all trades" working in radio, fixing televisions, doing maintenance work at the State Hospital in Middletown and trying out the trade of Plumbing with Pete Annis before finding his life's work as an electrician. He joined the IBEW Local Union #363 where he remained until he retired at the age of 62. Nick was a family man who made his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family a priority. Nick was a member of the BPOE Lodge 1097 in Middletown. A Fourth Degree Member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 486 in Middletown. A Member of the Holy Name Society of St. Joseph Church. He was a devout Catholic and a devoted communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Middletown. He volunteered at the Church in many ways including serving as a lector, leader of song, Eucharistic Minister and resident volunteer electrician for many years. One of his greatest sources of pride was his work on the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Nick was a member and past-president of the Mulberry House Seniors in Middletown and the Town of Wallkill Seniors. Nicholas is survived by his loving wife Marietta, his son Nicholas Jr. and his wife Diane and their children Laura, Daniel and Peter; his daughter Ruth Anne Zuclich and her husband John and their son Andrew; his son Paul and his wife Rita and their children Paul Jr. and Angela and his son Steve and his companion Therese Regan and Steve's girls Lindsay and Mallory. He is further survived by his sister Mary Van Gelder and her husband Charles, his brother-in-law Nicholas Romano and his companion Shirley Coleman and many loving nieces, nephew and cousins. Nick was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Loretta DiRenzo Corwin, his brother Russell Cortese and his wife Jeanne, his niece Barbara Van Gelder and nephew Patrick DiRenzo. The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Dinsmore for his caring support as well as our wonderful Hospice team. Special thanks to Kristine our nurse, Kara our nurses aide and Joe our volunteer. We also want to especially thank Nick's niece, Marion Howarth for being our nurse at the other end of the phone and for her care at a critical time. Visitation hours will be held on Tuesday July 26, 2016 from 3-7 P.M. at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 72 West Main St. Middletown, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday July 27, 2016 at 11 A.M. at St. Joseph Church 149 Cottage St. Middletown, N.Y. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery Middletown, N.Y. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Nicholas's name to St. Joseph Church 149 Cottage St. Middletown, N.Y or Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties 800 Stony Brook Ct. Newburgh, N.Y. 12550. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 343-6023 or www.ocfuneralhomes.com.