Mike Cortese

Mike Cortese, 88 a resident of Albuquerque died Friday, August 15, 2003 at Lovelace Medical Center. He was born October 12, 1914 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico to the home of Nick and Mary Muto Cortese. Mike graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1936. At the time of his marriage to Dorothy Erven on May 18, 1940 Mike was a partner in the Valley Feed & Grain Company. Later, in 1946, Mike along with brothers Joe and Ralph Cortese purchased the Valley Motor Company from Martin and Ethel Franklin which was later sold to Flea Wood. In 1954, Mike sold his share of the Valley Feed & Grain Company to start his own trucking company. Mike then lived in Colorado for a short time before making his home in Albuquerque in 1964. He was employed as a truck driver for Navajo Freight Lines and ABF Trucking Company until his retirement in 1980. He enjoyed playing with his pocket poker game to pass the time and was an avid sports fan. Mike was very dedicated to his walking and loved his family as well as his neighbors. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, grand children, and great-grandchildren. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Joe and Ralph Cortese; three sisters, Rose, Delia, and Madeleine; and his grandson Jarrod Mike Barfield on November 9, 2000. Survivors include his wife Dorothy Cortese of Albuquerque; three children, Sherry Barfield and husband J.K. of Texico, NM, Mike Cortese and wife Regina of Austin, TX, Delynn Ratliff and husband Eddie of Edgewood, NM; six grandchildren, James Barfield of Flagstaff, AZ; Christi Edwards of Texico, NM; Katherine Smeed of Dallas, TX; Micha Adatto of New Orleans, LA; Brent Ratliff of Albuquerque, NM; Darin Ratliff of Yukon, OK; four sisters-in-law, Lib Cortese and Zela Cortese of Fort Sumner, NM, Marie Rich of Florence, CO, Billie Erven of Canyon City, CO; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers will be Knox Cortese, Joe Don Cortese, James Barfield, Jay Cortese, Darin Ratliff, and Brent Ratliff. Honorary bearers will be nephews and great-nephews. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, August 18, 2003 from the family plot in Fort Sumner Cemetery, with Rev. Monty Leavell officiating. The family prefers memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church 600 Sumner Avenue, Fort Sumner, NM 88119 or the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Visitation will be Sunday from 1PM to 6PM and Monday from 9AM to 10AM at the funeral home. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home 804 North Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311