Lawrence Joseph Cortese

Lawrence J. Cortese

1940 - 2025

Lawrence J. Cortese, 85, of Lehighton, entered into eternal rest 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 November 9th of last year. Born in Lehighton, he was the son of the late Joseph M. and Florence Marie (Schmalzel) Cortese. He was a United States Army Veteran. He was a graduate of Mauch Chunk Catholic High School, Jim Thorpe. He was employed as a clerk for the former Bethlehem Steel Company for 39 years until his retirement in 2002. He was also a member of St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, Lehighton.

Surviving along with his wife are Daughters Sharon George and her husband Charles of Palmerton, Christine Karp and her husband Gerald of Lehighton, Jutta Mueller of Lehighton and Annette Cortese and her companion David Ruzicka of Palmerton; sisters Antoinette  Bowman and her husband Larry of Tamaqua and Marchel Zastko and her husband Anthony of Lehighton; brothers Joseph and his wife Nancy of Henderson, Nevada, Carl and his wife Jean San Marcos, CA and Alfred of San Diego, CA; 5 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at the connivance of the family. The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Online condolence can be offered at www.ovsakfh.com.

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