Roy J. Cortese

Roy J. Cortese, 89, of 407B Rome Towers Apts., passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at St. Lukes Memorial Hospital Center. He was born on July 1, 1918 in Chiarivalli, Italy, son of the late Nick Cortese and and Sylvia Capocasale. At age 4, the family came to America and settled in Bovey, Minnesota where he spent his boyhood. In 1930, the family moved to Rome, where he completed his education.

On December 23, 1941, Roy enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in World War II in England and France with the 33rd Air Depot Group, 33rd Repair Squadron as crew chief. He was discharged on November 9, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

On April 23, 1949, he was united in marriage to the former Gilda Garofalo. He worked at General Cable for 31 years and at Rome State School for 11!/2 years, retiring in 1982. Roy was very caring and devoted to his family. He loved watching his grandsons baseball games for many years and was an avid Yankee fan.

Mr. Cortese is survived by a daughter, Deborah Scheible and companion Bruce Edick, and a son, Nicholas Cortese, a granddaughter, Erica Scheible and fianc, Eric Daniels, a grandson, Scott Scheible, and a sister, Terry Gamela, all of Rome; nieces and nephews, Norma Totaro, of Rome, Geraldine Conniff, of McConnellsville, William Gamela Jr. of Rome, and also several great nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Angeline and Michael Pomilio, a brother and sister-in-law, August and Juanita Cortese, a brother-in-law, William Gamela, a niece, Sylvia Messenger, and nephews, Jerry Crouch, Robert Totaro and Karl Conniff. He was also predeceased by a dear and wonderful friend, Marion W. Summa.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Church on Friday, November 16, at 9:00 a.m. where relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be in St. Johns Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St.