Vincent Cortese Jr.

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Vincent Cortese Jr., surrounded by his loved ones in the home he built. A man who truly embodied the meaning of hard work, generosity, and devotion to family. Born on April 7, 1934, in San Jose, California, to Rose and Vince Cortese, Vincent was fiercely proud of his Sicilian heritage. He grew up alongside his four beloved siblings, Dom, Jerome, Lena, and John, on the family's vast fruit orchards and cattle ranch, known as The Cortese Bros. From a young age, Vincent displayed an unparalleled work ethic, becoming renowned as one of the best tree pruners of his time.

Vincent was not only a master of the land but also a self-taught mechanic, always eager to solve problems with his hands and ingenuity. His love for work was matched only by his love for life. When he wasn't in the orchards, he could be found playing softball, trap and skeet shooting, working on cars, or enjoying the thrill of water and snow skiing. He had a deep passion for the outdoors, whether it was hunting with friends or following his favorite sports teams-the San Francisco Giants, 49ers, and Golden State Warriors. His sense of adventure extended to traveling the world, often with an invention idea swirling in his mind, and he was known to be surrounded by famous entertainers throughout his life.

Vincent attended Pala Elementary and graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in 1952 then went on to San Jose State. In 1954, he met the love of his life, Colleen. The two were married on September 28, 1957, in a beautiful ceremony at the Cathedral in Reno, NV-after waiting for the prune season to finish, of course. In May of 1960, they were blessed with their daughter Teresa, who became the light of his life. Throughout the years, Vincent and Colleen opened their home to many world exchange students, who grew to become part of their extended family.

Vincent was known for his unwavering generosity. Whether it was donating to the church or supporting various charities, he never hesitated to lend a hand when it was needed "I always tried to help people". Above all else, his family was his greatest pride and joy. He was thrilled to witness his three grandchildren, Makaela, Joe, and Gino, grow into remarkable adults, and cherished the moments he spent with his great-grandchildren, Vincenzo, Kaelahni, and Julian.

Vincent Cortese Jr.'s legacy of love, hard work, and generosity will be carried on by his family for generations to come. He was truly one of the greatest men to walk this earth, and his presence will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.