Obituary of Joseph Anthony Cortese

Joseph Anthony Cortese, age 96, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020, at his home in Warren. Born and raised in Plainfield, Joseph had resided there until moving to Warren in 1955. Joseph was educated in Plainfield and played football for the Plainfield Red Oaks. During World War II Joseph proudly served in the United States Marines Corps from 1942 to 1946 in the South Pacific and then in China. Joseph worked for over 48 years as a printing press machinist. Throughout his time at Wood Ind and MAN Roland, Joseph erected newspaper presses throughout North and South America and Spain. He was highly respected throughout the newspaper industry. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Mount RC Church in Warren. In his spare time, Joseph could be found tending to his garden and enjoyed splitting firewood or bowling with his wife, brothers, and his friends. He also enjoyed dancing and playing bocce ball. Joseph was very involved in the China Marines, the Marine Corps League, and the VFW. He was also a member of the Senior Citizens of the Traveling Seniors and had volunteered at the Lyons VA for over 10 years. He is predeceased by his first wife, Rachel Florence, in 1983; his step-daughter, Teresa Flosiani, and nine siblings: Philomena, Jenny, Josephine, Mary, Susan, Anthony, Minnie, Sal, and Mike. Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Rosemarie; his children, Sandra Cortese, Michael Cortese and his wife Maria; step-children, James Resciniti and his wife Ginny, and John Resciniti and his wife, Linda; five grandchildren, Christie Burd and her husband Samuel, Michael Cortese Jr., Kelly Brasel and her husband Chris, Jason Resciniti, and Michael Resciniti and his wife Jackie. A visitation will be held on Friday November 13 ,2020 from 4 to 8 pm at Higgins Home for Funerals 752 Mountain Blvd. Watchung NJ 07069. A mass of the resurrection will be held on Saturday at Our Lady of the Mount RC Church at 10 am. The interment will follow immediately at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway.