November 10th, 1962 - December 2nd, 2022
Michael Lee Cortese
Michael, is the son of Kitty and John Cortese, born November 10, 1962. Michael was the youngest of the Cortese family, with twin older brothers, John Perry Cortese and Robert James Cortese.
Sitting on the front porch one day with his friends and brother Bob he heard that his brother Johnny was graduating in Florida. Bob said I have a free plane ticket and gave it to Michael. Michael packed up his bags, and off he went off. He told his mom, he would be home in a week, one week turned into over 30 years. He got a job with the Sarasota school board in the Maintenance department for the next 30 years.
Michael was smart and was able to retire at age 52. Why not…. He bought, refinished, and sold homes which worked out well for him, he was the “original fix and flip it”. He loved being able to fish whenever he wanted and seeing different animals in the canal behind his primary residence in Sarasota.
Michael loved animals, during his time in Florida, had various dogs as his companions. Most notable were Shaky and Shadow. He also had a pet alligator, cobra, anaconda, python, etc.
Michael’s real love was adventure, discovery, storytelling, and writing. Not to mention a great joke every now and then. In 1994, he followed his drive for adventure which culminated in a purchase of a couple acres in Homer, Alaska, where he spent his Summers. He had the most beautiful view in the entire state.
He loved fishing, gold mining, animal sighting, and writing. In his later years, he bought a condo in Porta Vallarta, Mexico, again to fulfill his sense of adventure and discovery.
Michael never married but was blessed with a niece and nephew, Paige Kathryn Cortese and Jonathan Perry Cortese, respectively. He did find love with a couple of long-term girlfriends over the years. Stacy often stayed with him during the summer spent in
Alaska. As well as a relationship with a high school sweetheart later in life.
Michael especially had a soft spot in his heart for the women in his life. He cared deeply for his mother, Kitty Cortese, and his niece, Paige Kathryn.
Michael will always be remembered as a caring and loving son, brother, uncle, and friend with an insatiable drive for exploration and adventure.
May he rest in peace...
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