Andrew Cortez Jr.

We are indescribably saddened to share the news of the passing of Andrew "Andy" Cortez Jr.

Andrew is the son of the late Andrew and Adeline Cortez, sibling to 7 sisters and 1 brother, husband of the late Linda Marie Cortez, father of Ann Marie, David, Melissa and Robert (who preceded him in death in 2019), the grandfather of Joseph, Briana, Mikey, Leilani, Davey, Hannah, Ava, and great grandfather of Zanylah and Zaliyah, and favorite and fun uncle to numerous nephews and nieces.

He was also the life of the party and friend to so many and best friend to his long time companion, Vickie Huntley.

Andrew grew up in Wilmington, California and joined the Army, became a life-long longshoreman, got married and had 4 children by the age of 28. At the age of only 34, he became a single parent after the death of his beloved wife Linda who was 32. He alone raised all 4 kids and later in life, he helped raise 2 of his grandchildren.

He was our foundation- year after year, he did car pools, back to school shopping, attended all kids' games, sold candy at the Longshoreman's Hall for candy drives, said "I'm here" IMMEDIATELY anytime one of his kids called out his name during a nightmare, every Xmas season, he would hit the roof and string the lights then take his kids to pick out a flocked tree, he taught everyone how to drive and whenever he was thanked through the years, he would say "Of course, I'm your Dad (or Grandpa)-that's what I'm here for".

Through late middle age, Andrew remained active in tennis and golf, loved watching all sports, taking last minute getaways and visiting family and friends. He was the first one to order everyone at his table a round of drinks, first and last one to be on the dance floor and always willing to lend a helping hand and share LOTS of laughs.

Even when his excellent health challenged him in later years, he was intent on being as independent and self reliant as possible and living out his life at home in Oregon. He loved the river, trees and watching all wildlife right outside his window. And of course, he still loved watching his daily sports on tv.

We are grateful to this rock of a man, and as much as we will miss him deeply, we find great comfort in that he left this world at home just as he insisted.

And we hope as he left us, he started hearing his favorite oldies but goodies, was handed a bowl of his sister Anita's famous meat with chile, and was hugged by his youngest son Robert as the laughing and reuniting with everyone, at long last, began.