Fred Cortese

"Uncle Kiko", "Mr. Fred", "Mayor of Shreve Island", and especially "Daddy," you were known by many names. On Saturday, July 11, 2015, at 89, you joined family and old friends in God's kingdom. Born November 27, 1925, you were the last of eight siblings, who you held close to your heart and all of whom preceded you in death: Alex Cortese, John Cortese, Emily Cortese, Leon Cortese, Alfred Cortese, Lily Cortese White, and Olive Cortese Harrell. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, you were transferred by work to Shreveport, Louisiana to a city that you loved and where you remained over 50 years. You served our country in World War II by enlisting in the Navy, 2 days after your high school graduation, and serving on the USS Cottle and USS McDermut. You held a career in sales positions for over 69 years that included the companies Beach Nut LifeSavers, Economics Laboratories (EcoLab), Drake Office Supplies and ML Bath. You loved to sing and it was a standing schedule for you to go and find a place to sing Karaoke, especially the Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole, and Dean Martin standards. Of course, I am not going to forget your love for sports, from basketball, golf, tennis, but nothing gave you more enjoyment or heartburn than your love for your New Orleans Saints. As your only child, I was blessed by a single parent who was loving, illustrated the love of God, giving, a disciplinarian, and made many sacrifices to ensure many facets for my childhood and adulthood. We had a beautiful journey together and it was my honor to bring you to the door for your final journey. Your surviving nieces and nephews hold you in prayer, especially Gary Douglas Harrell and wife Sandy of Punta Gorda, Florida and Christie Lee Dentan and husband Dominique of Deer Park, Illinois. Daddy, I will be fine and continue my pursuit of a happy life with the guidelines I have learned from you. The best description of your character is your love for people and making friends, strangers or people smile with stories or a joke. This was made evident in an article the Shreveport Times wrote about you on May 17th, 2005, "Man's Morning Wave a Touch of Sunshine for Passing Motorists." We know we could not have made the journey and need to express our love and gratitude to the nurses with Christus Schumpert Home Health, especially Donna, the nursing staff at Highland Christus Schumpert, Grace Home and Sister Sharon with Schumpert. We would also like to thank Schumpert cardiologist Dr. Iqbal Singh whose passion and medical attention describes a true physician during your last week. Also to Dr. Kevin Murphy for his support and care over the years. Most importantly, we owe our love and deepest gratitude to such an amazing caregiver for the past two years, Juliet "Judy" King. She brought a smiling face and such a gentle way of taking care of you. We love you, Judy, and will never be able to express our gratitude as our angel. Walk out your door each morning knowing that your care made a difference in someone's life. Many have asked how to remember you, so in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Hospital or any charity of their choice. There will be a private service internment at Boone Funeral Home, Bossier City. I have arranged visitation for Celebration of Fred on Saturday, July 18th at Superior Steakhouse from 11-2. My endearing father, I love you, thank you for everything, always in my heart- your daughter, Content Cortese 2 Corinthians 5:8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.