Pete Cortez Jr.'s Obituary
Pete Cortez, Jr. age 80 passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Heartwood Lodge in Spring Lake. He was born October 23, 1938 in San Antonio, TX to Pete and Juanita (Gonzalez) Cortez. He lived most of his life in Muskegon Michigan and in 1961 married Guadalupe Loera there. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War era. Prior to his retirement, he worked for 30 years as an electrician for CWC-Textron. He was a member of the St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Parish in Grand Haven. Pete enjoyed cooking, morning walks with friends, and was an avid reader. Having led life by example, he was a man of few words. His humble intellect, integrity, and compassionate nature will be long remembered. Survivors include his wife, Lupe; 4 children, Rita (David) Oliver, Juanita Briggs, Pete Cortez, III, Albert (Gena) Cortez; 7 grandchildren, Devon (Matt) Mapes, Chelsea Oliver, Miranda (Joshua) Rudkin, Jenna Briggs, Pete (Lauren) Cortez, IV, Rianne (Alex) Huntoon, Max Cortez; 6 great-grandchildren, Francesca and Pete Cortez, V, Deacon and Everett Huntoon, Charlotte Oliver, Makenna Rudkin; 1 brother; Geronimo (Jean) Gonzalez, Jr.; 4 sisters Isabel (Alvino) Villa, Olivia (Juan) Mancilla, Connie (Chon) Lopez, Elida (Roberto) Miranda; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Sally Portenga. Visitation will be held Monday April 8th, 2019 from 10-11 am at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (920 Fulton St, Grand Haven). The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am with Rev. Fr. Charles Swartz presiding at the church. Interment will follow at Sunrise Memorial Gardens (2188 Remembrance Dr. Muskegon) with full Military Honors offered by the American Legion Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s – St. Anthony Catholic Parish in care of Sytsema Funeral Homes. Please sign the guestbook and leave a condolence for the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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