A funeral Mass was held on Sept. 20 at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Memphis for Father Richard Cortese, who was associate pastor of St. Mary Church in Jackson.
Father Cortese died Sept. 11 at age 66. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Memphis. Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis celebrated the funeral Mass, with Monsignor Victor Ciaramitaro serving as homilist.
Father Cortese was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Lee Slagle and Anthony J. Cortese. He is survived by brothers Angelo “Ted” Cortese (Kellie Griffith Cortese) of Memphis, William J. Cortese (Kathy Keller Cortese) of Knoxville, and Michael W. Cortese of Knoxville, nieces, nephews, and great nephews.
Father Cortese, who was born on Jan. 27, 1956, in Memphis, was a priest of 40 years. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1982. He also served as director of the Marian Movement of Priests.
Father Cortese was a frequent visitor to the Diocese of Knoxville, where he often celebrated and concelebrated Masses at churches such as Holy Ghost, where his brothers attend.
Memorial donations may be made to the Catholic Diocese of Memphis or the Marian Movement of Priests, P.O. Box 8, St. Francis, Maine 04774.
