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Lawrence Cortese Obituary
Lawrence J. Cortese, 85, of Lehighton, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in the Forest Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Weatherly. He was the husband of Gerda (Mueller) Cortese. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Nov. 9 of last year.
He was employed as a clerk for the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 39 years until his retirement in 2002.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Joseph M. and Florence Marie (Schmalzel) Cortese.
A U.S. Army veteran, he was a graduate of Mauch Chunk Catholic High School, Jim Thorpe.
He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, Lehighton.
Surviving in addition to his widow are daughters, Sharon, wife of Charles George, and Annette Cortese, and her companion, David Ruzicka, both of Palmerton, and Christine, wife of Gerald Karp, and Jutta Mueller, both of Lehighton; sisters, Antoinette, wife of Larry Bowman of Tamaqua, and Marchel, wife of Anthony Zastko of Lehighton; brothers, Joseph, and his wife, Nancy, of Henderson, NV, Carl, and his wife, Jean, of San Marcos, CA, and Alfred of San Diego, CA; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Service: Funeral service at convenience of family. The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Lehighton, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Online condolence can be offered at www.ovsakfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Cortese
Sponsored by Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc..
Al and Danielle Schmalzel
July 30, 2025
May Lawrence rest in peace dear cousin. Love and blessings Butch and Danielle
Sharon George
July 30, 2025
Dad I know you are finally at peace. I posted a first post and maybe they x ed it or maybe I was out of sorts and forgot to press submit.What ever the case may be . I want you to know you have brought many funny times into my life our doo whoop binge sessions on porch in the summer with your air piano talents it was fun. You may have forgotten what you ate an hour after you ate it but you never forgot me or any of your family which in itself was a blessing to the end. I will truely miss you and I know mom does. Until we meet again dad . Know you were truely loved. By me especially. God Bless and welcome dad please.
Pam and Larry Cramer
July 30, 2025
May you all find comfort in knowing we share in your sorrow and loss of our cousin Lawrence. God rest his soul and let his memories live on in our hearts. With our deepest sympathy and love to all of you. Pam and Larry Cramer
Reece
July 30, 2025
Sorry for you loss. From Burger King Crew
Sean
July 30, 2025
Annette,
God bless and so sorry for the loss of your Father.
I recently lost mine too you and your family are extremely strong and will get through this....
Always here for you
John
July 30, 2025
Annette so sorry for your loss....
I hope your family is healing.
Destiny landis
July 30, 2025
Sorry for your loss Annette and family
Lauren Barto
July 30, 2025
Annette, Dave, Erika, Jade, Adrianna & Xavier - we are deeply sorry to hear of your father/grandfather/great grandfather's loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this difficult time! Love, The Barto/ Your Burger King Family
The Neffs
July 30, 2025
Annette and family, Im so deeply sorry for your loss.
~The Neff Family
Grateful
July 29, 2025
Lawrence,
Thank You for Your service to our country.
God Bless You!
God be with your family!
Sincerely,
A Grateful American
Robert J. Miklas, USN.
July 29, 2025
Lawrence, you are now relieved from your post. A job well done fellow veteran. America thanks you for your service to our country in the defense of freedom. The final volley has sounded and taps is about to begin, ending a successful career as a nation´s defender. Farewell fellow veteran.
Sheila Valdez Hartranft
July 29, 2025
My sincerest condolences to the entire Cortese family.
Sharon George
July 29, 2025
Dad , I am soo glad I was there to see you the day before you passed.It definitely was a bad day for you for sure even though it was the hardest thing for me to do I prayed God would take you from your misery. I thank God you had mom there to hold your had as you left this world and you weren't alone. You were a good father and provider for our family growing up and I thank you for being that stable security for us all over the years.We never said we loved oneanother much but I always knew . Actions do speak louder then words and you were always there for any of us if we ever needed you.But today I have to say I will always Love You! And miss our doowhoop sessions on the bk porch and you playing your air piano. Memories that will never fade. Rest in peace daduntil we meet again. Love you! Sharon
Diane Gebhard
July 29, 2025
Annette and family so sorry for your loss. Your all in my thoughts and prayers
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Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.190 S 4th St, Lehighton, PA 18235-2037
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