Obituary of Giovanni Cortese

Giovanni (John) Cortese, born on October 17, 1950 in Verzina, Italy, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 29, 2006 in Calgary, AB at the age of 55 years. John was raised in Castelsilano, Italy. He left home as a teenager to work with his father in Switzerland and by age nineteen had returned home to marry his first and only love on June 7, 1970. John and Vincenza quickly started a family before immigrating to Calgary on June 24, 1972 where John established his career in the construction industry and became the founder and sole proprietor of Johnny’s Concrete. He highly appreciated the value of a strong work ethic and he cultivated that trait in his professional life earning the respect and admiration of his customers, his peers and his staff. For anyone who knew of him, the name John Cortese remains synonymous with craftsmanship, professionalism and dedication. John valued family gatherings and all social functions. He will be remembered for his effortless laugh and smile and will always be cherished and profoundly missed by those who loved him. John is remembered lovingly by his wife of thirty-six years, Vincenza; his children, Antonietta (Saverio) Aiello, Vincenzo (Romanda) Cortese, Lisa (Remo) Trotta and Sam (Salvatore) (Charla Power) Cortese as well as his in-laws near and abroad; Francesco (Francesca) Ammirati of Calgary, Alberta. John also leaves seven grandchildren in his legacy, Leonardo, Giovanni, and Paolo Aiello; Vincenza and Giovanni Cortese; Anthony and Giuliana Trotta; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is also survived by his parents Vincenzo and Antonietta of Castelsilano, Italy and siblings, Rosetta (Giuseppe) Marasco, Maria (Salvatore) Ammirati, Antonio (Giovanna) and Teresa (Giuseppe) Passavanti. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Italian and English Catholic Church (1714 – 14th Avenue N.E.) on Thursday, October 5, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th St. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Giovanni Cortese, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.