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Carlos Cortes Obituary
There were times when the planning meetings would seem to drag on a bit too long. Those were the times when Carlos Cortes would seize his opportunity. Without saying a word, he would untie his tie and reconfigure it in the shape of a big, droopy bow tie. As people began to look up from their paperwork, they would see him and crack a smile or stifle a laugh.
"He was always trying to diffuse a difficult situation," said Laurie Lauterbach, his wife of 30 years.
But sometimes, those difficult situations could not be resolved with a laugh or a smile. "Anytime there was an emergency in our family, Carlos was the person to call," Ms. Lauterbach said, recalling the time he drove to the Bronx in the middle of the night to take an elderly cousin to the hospital, and another time, broke the news to his hospitalized father-in-law that he would have to be moved to New York for surgery.
A civil engineer with Washington Group International, Mr. Cortes, 57, met Ms. Lauterbach in 1967. She was a junior at Ithaca College studying abroad for a semester, and the two taught English at the same school in Bogota. They were married in 1971 and had a son, Louis F. Cortes, in 1983. Mr. Cortes, a car devotee, shared his enthusiasm with his son, Louis recalled, by taking him to the New York Auto Show for 10 years straight.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Cindy Roe
September 5, 2021
Remembering Carlos on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Del Newberry
August 3, 2021
Thinking of the Cortes family today. Much love from Texas
Laurie
July 25, 2021
To William R. Dickerson - please let me know how/when Carlos was a student if yours. Thank you for your thoughts. Laurie
William R. Dickerson
July 24, 2021
Dear Laurie, I woke up one day and had the urge to see where the kids I taught over 30 years ago are, doing and to return some pictures I found of them. Keeping both of you in my heart and thoughts.
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Laurie
June 16, 2019
To Katelyn who wrote that she believed I would never see her entry - I have read it and if you are willing to share an email address I will respond. Same message to those who wrote that they had worked with Carlos at any point in his life..
Thank you all for your thoughts - Laurie
September 11, 2018
To: Laurie
From: Dick Anderson
[email protected].
my thoughts are with you today!
I was the front Office Manager of the Holiday Inn in North Mankato MN. Carlos had the best personality and was very well liked by our guests and fellow employees. The best to you and your family!
September 12, 2016
Joe and I send our thoughts prayers and love to you and Julia and the family at this very difficult time
May Carlos rest in peace
love tina and Joe
Felipe Uribe
September 12, 2016
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Pam Hester
September 11, 2016
My prayers are with your family, especially this 15th year of their loss. I pray that you have found peace and I hope they have found peace as well.
Claudia Gonzalez
May 30, 2015
May you rest in peace Mr. Cortes. I didn't know you but just read about it and I'm saddened, just knowing how many good people were taken from us. You were a wonderful human being, I just know.
DOMINIC DEPIERRO
September 13, 2011
my prayers go to all the family and friends i know--to my wonderful sister-in-law--and the pain sheand all the family live`s with everyday--amen
DOMINIC AND BOBBIANN DEPIERRO
Tina & Joe Boan
September 11, 2011
Our sympathies and prayers to Carlos' Family.
Tina(Livingston)& Joe Boan
Edward Sears
September 11, 2011
Uncle Carlos, you remind me of what it is to be honorable father and man. You always put your family first. I love you, and will remember you in my thoughts and prayers tio!
Love,
Edward K Sears
Katelynn
September 11, 2011
Though I did not know Mr. Cortes, this is very hard for me. I have a class assignment to write to a family member of a 9/11 victim explaining what the U.S. has done to let this type of event never happen again. I found a list of names online of 9/11 victims and I just scrolled down, reading every one until I came to Carlos'. I knew I must write to a family member of his; though I was not sure why. I now know why. Mr. Cortes was the father, son, and husband that many will never have. I've learned that he was a great figure to everyone. He loved making people happy. On an online site, I read: "Without saying a word, he would untie his tie and reconfigure it in the shape of a big, droopy bow tie. As people began to look up from their paperwork, they would see him and crack a smile or stifle a laugh." As I'm writing this letter, I'm sitting here thinking how wonderful it would be to get in contact with his wife of 30 years. I'm writing this letter to her, but I know it will never reach her. It is hard talking to someone that I will never know and telling her all of this information when I know she is never going to hear it. To Ms. Lauterbach, I am very sorry to learn of your husband. He lived a life well loved.
Jeanette Lopez
September 11, 2011
I worked with Carlos Cortes at Columbis University in the Facilities Management Department in the early 90's up to 1998. I was the Administrative Assistant for Carlos. He was a good Project Manager at Columbia University. He was a good man with a good sense of humor. He always had a smile and told stories. Today, watching the memorial of 911, I saw his name and remembered his face. I did not know that Carlos was one of the victim in 911.
My condolence to you and your son. May Carlos rest in peace.
Kevin Jennings
May 11, 2010
I worked with Carlos at Klewin. Carlos was a gentleman from the old school and a real professional builder. It was always a pleasure to work with him. I am now involved in the building of the bronze name memorial at the 911 memorial for the WTC. Carlos' name with all the others will be cut into 1/2" thick solid bronze using 60,000 psi water and grit. His name will be backlite from behind at night. The memorial will be a fitting tribute to those friends and family we lost on 9/11. My condolensces to his wife and daughter.
Lauren Kiefer-Foley
September 10, 2009
I am honored to be reading Carlos' name tomorrow at the ceremony at Ground Zero. I lost my brother, FDNY FF Michael Kiefer also that day. I hope I make Carlos and his family proud when I read his name, I know I am proud to read it. My thoughts are with your family always!
Doug Abraham
March 6, 2009
When I am dead, my dearest
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.
I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.
By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation
John Trombley
September 11, 2007
Carlos, I have great memories working with you and cycling in the late 80's. May God bless you and your family.
Kristine
October 23, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
September 15, 2006
In memory....
Laurie Lauterbach
May 15, 2006
Once again, I thank all those who have expressed their sympathy here and elsewhere.
Nolia and Howard Rohde
June 11, 2005
Very fond memories of tennis in Venezuela and visiting in New York when we lived in New Jersey.
Laurie Lauterbach
November 22, 2003
I don't recognize all the names here and I had not looked at this website in a long time. Thank all of you - those family and friends whom we know of course and all of you. My best to you and your family for Thanksgiving 2003.
Laurie and Louis Francisco
Alexandra Preite
September 11, 2003
Carlos you touched my life in a special way. I carry you with me in my heart. God Bless You.
Alexandra
Catherine Jallim
September 11, 2003
You are dearly missed. It was a pleasure knowing and working with you.
Carol Miller
September 11, 2003
May God bless you and your family from a fellow employee.
Sophie Cortes - Thomas
January 28, 2003
God's blessings to you and your family.
ANTONIO CORTES, JR.
September 16, 2002
I HOPE AND PRAY THAT GOD KEEPS YOU BY HIS SIDE ALONG WITH MY DARLING DAUGHTER WHO WAS ALSO TAKEN FROM ME ON 9/11. PERHAPS YOU KNEW HER ADIANES CORTES-OYOLA, FUJI BANK COPR. - AGE 24
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS.
I'LL KEEP YOU AND YOURS IN MY PRAYERS.
Jennifer
September 11, 2002
Bless you and your family. We will never forget.
Lisa Rose
June 20, 2002
Carlos left a legacy in his son and wife and will always be remembered as someone who loved people!
God Bless your family Carlos!
Angie Campbell
April 23, 2002
May God Bless you and the ones that you left behind on 9/11/01. Rest in peace......
Bob Andruszkiewicz
March 11, 2002
Forever Rest in Peace
Teresa Jahn
January 5, 2002
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Anonymous
January 1, 2002
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU CARLOS CORTES
AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE WITH GOD
AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET
9/11/01
James and Mary Nagle
December 31, 2001
Que descanse en paz
leslie miller
October 22, 2001
Please find comfort in good memories. We will not forget you. You are not alone.
Mario Castro
October 16, 2001
God bless You.
Angela Cortez
October 8, 2001
With God you rest in peace.
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