Natanael Cortes

Natanael Cortes entered the world on a breezy yet humid day in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The 16th of September in 1934 marks that special day, where hard work and diligence was born. He grew up in a loving home with his hard-working father, Justino Cortes, and his sweet mother Valeriana Cortes (Riose). His father lived a full life of health and longevity well after his 100th birthday. While hard work and homemaking came easy to the Cortes family, there was never a lack of discipline or growth which Natanael always admired about his parents. His mother and father had many children, and a few have preceded him in death, while he does have several siblings in Connecticut and even a few back home in Puerto Rico. He loved all his siblings but his sisters especially.

Natanael grew up quickly in many ways, but the richest, was in his work ethic. He left Puerto Rico in his teens and moved to Connecticut to find work; he applied for and attained his very first job before completing high school and would go on to work endless hours filling shoe boxes with shoes at a quiet wage of just twenty-five cents per hour. Though small, he was grateful and treated his job with the highest regard. Much of the hard work ethic that he learned from his father would shape his later years, affording him years after retirement to spend with his beautiful bride.

Natanael became an orderly in a hospital where he beamed with confidence, and his moral compass took great ground. He developed a strong liking for helping people and took great pride in showing up consistently and professionally. This is where he met his beautiful bride, Ilona. They fell quickly in love even though they didn’t speak the same language upon meeting. Natanael would go on to learn Hungarian so that he could communicate and his adoration for his bride’s background didn’t stop at the language. Natanael proceeded in life learning everything he could about the Hungarian culture. He would go on to enjoy Hungarian food, speak the language, love the music, and even eventually raise his two sons in Hungarian catholic school.

Natanael did what many men have never had the opportunity to. He served our great country from the late 1950s to the early 1960s proudly and honorably. Natanael and his family lived in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and he worked in Stanton Island, where he opened a chain link fence company. This was more than just a means to feed his family, but also the place which he found his passion for working with his hands. He would go on to build and create even into his Arizona years. Eventually relocating to Arizona in 1973, he was excited to bring his family to the sunshine state. He joined the City of Phoenix and worked with amazing teams within operations at Sky Harbor Airport.

Nathanael always said “If anything is made to be easy, it is made to be a disservice” often explaining that the more difficult the problem, the more opportunity for growth. This described the last half of his life in more ways than one. Natanael continued in his craft and built cabins and homes in Strawberry, Sedona, and many small towns around Northern Arizona. Eventually, he retired from the city of Phoenix where he was given several awards, for never using even one day of sick time. He then spent many years working with his hands, but finally in a sweeter way than most, to fix things around the house for his sweet Ilona after retirement.

Most would describe him as sweet and kind. But he is also known for his adventurous fishing trips back home in the marsh. Wherever he was, a good time was had. He had the humor that could outshine any comedian and his love for camping far exceeded most. While he had many hobbies and was delighted with much, the most memorable was his affection for his wife. He pursued peace and devotion in his marriage above all other things. He led his family with great attributes and a sincere love that was never ending.

In Natanael's later years, he became sick and would go on to suffer with cancer for nearly 10 years, while never complaining at all. He skipped doctors’ appointments often, to not worry his family in the case that they might have bad news. He never wanted anyone to worry about him in any way and would always prioritize everyone else before himself. Another like him could never be found.

Natanael passed away in Sun City, Arizona on the 9th of February of 2026. He is preceded in death by his loving parents and his beloved son Richard. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Ilona, his son Nathaniel, and his 2 granddaughters: Jessica Bickford and Marissa Chevis. He is also survived by his 2 great granddaughters Maelani and Amiyah.

We will love and miss him forever.