James J. Cortez Lt. Col. Ret.

James J. Cortez, Lt. Col. Ret. U.S. Army, passed on to his eternal life on April 13, 2015, at the Emory L. Bennett Veteran's Nursing Home with his family at his bedside. He had been ill with Parkinson's for some time. Jim was born in New York City in 1931 to James R. and Sophie (Kulickowski) Cortez now deceased. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School, in the Bronx, N.Y., class of 1949. He served in the N.Y. National Guard for 4 years and entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. in 1953. He met his future wife Marie in the summer of 1956 ~it was love at first sight~ they were married after graduation in June of 1957. It was a marriage made in heaven to last 57 years. Their Son Michael was born in 1958 and Stephen in 1959. After serving in Germany with the 4th Armored Brigade they returned to the U.S. and served on various Army posts to include serving as an instructor at West Point. After attending the Army Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, he commanded a battalion at Ft. Ord, CA. Jim served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Legion of Merit. He retired from active duty in 1979 after an assignment at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He then entered the private sector to work for Mantech International, a consulting firm in Virginia and during this time also earned a Master's degree from George Mason University in Virginia. He and Marie continued their friendship and social activities with '57 classmates in the D.C. area with whom they were very close. In 1999 Jim and Marie moved from Virginia to Ormond Beach, FL and joined Prince of Peace Catholic Church volunteering their time with church activities and made new and lasting friendships. Jim also became a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus. Life was good until his health began to fail in 2010 and continued to decline until his death. He was, to say the least, an incredible human being. A true and loving husband, father, friend and soldier. He was a man of faith, integrity, and ethics and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was always looking on the bright side with a smile for everyone. He will be sorely missed. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Marie, son Michael (Kathy), son Stephen, grandsons; Kyle, Tyler and Connor. Sister; Patricia, Ann Marie (David), and Dolores. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for Jim during his illness and especially the Staff at Emory L. Bennett. A visitation is scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2015 from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, located at 600 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach, FL 32174. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Bill Zamborsky, immediately following the visitation at 12:00 P.M. A memorial mass will take place at The Chapel of The Most Holy Trinity in West Point, N.Y. on Friday, June 12, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. with the inurnment to follow at the Military Academy at West Point with full military honors. Be thou at peace Jim. Donations in Jim's memory may be made to Parkinson's Research.