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James Cortino Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for James Cortino
Helene Barrett
September 4, 2025
Jim was just a SUPER guy! I was fortunate to meet him as an exchange student to Europe. It was So much fun. Can NEVER forget him!!
MARILYN SCRUGGS
September 4, 2025
Still remembering my friends.
julie newbert
February 4, 2007
dearst bula,
i am so sorry for your loss i fell so bad for you guys.like Bula,Connie,Gisla.all of the kids in the family too [taylor,casey,joey,etc.]soo sorry for your loss.
Helene Barrett
January 20, 2007
I just heard recently of Jamie's passing. How it saddened me! My prayers and thoughts are with Bula,Connie,and of course,his wife and family. I traveled to France with Jamie on an exchange program when we were kids; and stopped bck to see him again thirty-five years later. I was touched by his sensitivity, sweetness, and generous
spirit. Connie,would you contact me?
I send my love and sympathy to all of you.
Karen Gloeckle (Zavala)
January 3, 2007
MY EYES ARE FULL OF TEARS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I JUST FOUND OUT OF JAMIE'S PASSING. I HAVE HAD LASTING MEMORIES OF JAMIE AND GISELA SINCE I'VE WORKED FOR THE COME BACK INN. THEY HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THEIR KINDNESS. MY SINCERSEST SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO BULA,GISELA,CONNIE,BRENDA ERROL,ROXANNE,AND ALL OF HIS GRANDCHILDREN, AND NIECES AND NEPHEWS, AND ANY OTHER FAMILY I DON'T KNOW FROM THE RESTAURANT. YOU ALL WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS.
Marilyn
October 9, 2006
This one is for Gisela...
I KNOW your heart is saddened as much as any of the family.
I KNOW how much you are hurting.
I KNOW what true sole mates you were.
May our Father in heaven ease your pain.
Sonja Jorgensen
September 29, 2006
Dear Mrs. Cortino, And family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Jamie's passing. My heart goes out to all of you. Jamie was a very fun person to work with. I have missed you all very much. I shall keep you all in my prayers.
Joe Orlandino
September 26, 2006
Bula, Connie, Marty and the entire Cortino Family,
My deepest sympathies on the loss of Jamie. He was a dear friend. He will be missed.
Alan Roloff
September 24, 2006
Dear Bula, Connie and Brenda,
Was surprised to hear of Jamie's passing. You have my deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
richard maraviglia
September 18, 2006
I am at a loss to have just learned of james' passing. I spent many hours with him and friends at the Come Back Inn. I also was a Sigma Pi and graduated in 1972. I moved three years ago down south to Georgia, so I haven't seen alot of the guys since. I was just e mailed and I wanted to send my condolences. Jamie was always a true friend and great fraternity brother. My prayers will be with your family.
Kathy Guido
September 14, 2006
I was sad to hear about Jamie. I have many memories growing up with Jamie and Connie on the block for the years My Family lived in Melrose Park. The pranks, parties, our family bonds. My prayers are with Bula, Connie and who ever was touched at one time in their lives by a wonderful guy.
Jack & Marsha Cunningham
September 12, 2006
Dearest Bula,Connie & Family,
We were extremely sorry that we could not make the funeral. However, seeing everyone Monday evening was so meaningful and brought back countless memories of Jamie. Never forget that you are indeed an important part of our lives and that we share your sorrow in this time of grief. We wish there are comforting words we could share but only time will ease the pain and heal the heart. We must realize that Jamie is no longer suffering and has left a wonderful legacy for all of us to remember. We just wanted you to know that we will always be here for you. You are in our prayers.
With so much love and deep sympathy,
Marsha and Jack
David Jahntz
September 12, 2006
What a shock to see Jamie's obituary. I visited Jim’s wake some years ago in Bartlett and never would have thought this was possible.
All throughout late grade school and then high school, I was a friend of Jamie's first because of being at Sacred Heart School with his sister Connie. Jamie was very nice to have taken my brother, Richard, under his wing back then. My brother eventually developed schizophrenia and spent his entire adult life in nursing homes and VA hospitals. Rich died 2-1/2 years ago, and now this.
I remember running through the snow after Jamie trying to hold onto Moose’s leash and how gentle of a dog little Buck was. I remember Jamie giving Rich and I rides to St. Joseph High School in the Cadillac convertible. And speaking of riding, how about those toboggan rides being pulled by Jamie’s Dad’s Jeep over at the Lutheran school lot?
Earlier on we also played in the vacant lot across the street from the Cortino house and the other vacant lot across from the hospital on Chicago Avenue. The house was always so comforting with Jamie and Connie’s Mom always ready to offer us a snack. Whether watching TV downstairs, running around the neighborhood or heading up to Winston Plaza, being with Jamie made the day something special.
I think it was Jamie (or maybe it was Connie) who had suggested to the police to have me draw a sketch of the criminal that created such an incident over at the pub when we were older. The Cortinos were such a big part of my memories of Melrose Park in the 50s and 60s. I will never forget those great times.
I hope you all can hold Jamie in your thoughts and prayers as I will. He touched many people and had such a wonderful smile.
Love, David Jahntz
Louie Panico III
September 12, 2006
Dearest Gisela, Connie and Bula,
So sorry to hear about Jamie's passing. Hope that you are able in this time of sorrow to look back at better times. Louie Panico
Larry and Barbara Edelheit
September 11, 2006
Barbara and I were deeply saddened by the untimely death of our friend and long time client. We will keep him in our prayers and remember him forever.
Kim Denkewalter
September 11, 2006
Please accept my condolances and know that Jamie is in my prayers.He was truly a valued friend and fraternity brother.
Sheila L.
September 11, 2006
May you rely upon the greatest source of comfort. "“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3,4.
Ross Cortino
September 10, 2006
Dear Bula, Connie and Family,
Our sincerest sympathy...may you find strength and peace in knowing that James is with our Lord.
Marlene and Sharon Cortino, Ross Jr. and Mary Pat Cortino
Chickie Farella
September 10, 2006
Dearest
Bula, Connie and all family,
In September 2005 I was invited to the Italian
Cultural Center in Stone Park to perform a reading of my work as a contributing
writer in an anthology of Women's Writers entitled She Is Everywhere. Afterward,
my plan was for my sister and I to take a drive through Melrose and the first
stop would be The Come Back Inn Pub. As we approached the Corner of 20th
and Lake to find the empty space I immediately fell into a confused state
of shock and sadness and said "This town will never be the same! I just received
the news in an email from Joey O sending me right back into the same state
of mind. Jamie and all of you were my family because you treated me like
family. Jamie was another brother to me always pulling my chain just like
my own brother. For me he was just one of those guys that I would think would
remain here forever!
Bula, there are no words in me to express condolences
to you having lost a child! Here in California I do anything from personal
assistance and much caregiving. I just wish I could give you a big hug right
now! However I can't stop crying in such a grounding moment!
Remember
Jamie's spirit lives on and you can call on him at anytime and he will be
there for you so pay attention to the signs!
Much love to all of you!
Chickie Farella
Tom & Laurie Klein
September 10, 2006
We were so sorry to hear about Jamie. Please know that our thoughts & prayers are w/your family. Our deepest, heartfelt sympathy, TK & Laurie Klein
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