Gino J. Cortesi, 83
WESTFIELD, Mass. — Gino Joseph Cortesi, 83, of Westfield died Monday morning, Nov. 24, 2008, at home.
He was born in Falls Village, Conn., in 1925, the son of Paul and Phoebe Irene Carroll Cortesi.
Mr. Cortesi served in the Air Force for 25 years, including during World War II. He was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1943 and was trained as a ball-turret gunner in B-24 bombers. He flew missions over Germany in 1944 and, after the war ended, he remained in the Reserves and was recalled to active duty in 1950 to train gunners in B-29s for the Korean War. He was also a gunner in B-45s, B-66s and B-52s.
He left the Air Force for the Army in 1964, becoming a fixed-wing pilot with the rank of chief warrant officer. He served in Vietnam and retired from the Army in 1968.
Mr. Cortesi began giving flying lessons in 1950 and later became a flight instructor. He was licensed to fly helicopters, gliders and hot-air balloons. He also was a Federal Aviation Administration inspector for eight years.
He was a member of VFW Couch Pipa Post 6851 in Canaan, Conn., the Quiet Birdmen, Westfield American Legion Post 124 and the Elks Club in Fort Meyers, Fla. He loved to travel and was a master bridge player.
He leaves his wife of 58 years, the former Mildred Martin; a son, Tony G. Cortesi and his wife, Barbara, of West Hartford, Conn.; a daughter, Susan G. Mulcahy and her husband, Douglas, of Canton, Conn.; a sister, Priscilla Belcher of Falls Village; five grandchildren, Angela Cortesi of Agawam, Sarah Acus and her husband, Don, of Southwick, Anthony Cortesi of West Hartford and Justin and Zachary Mulcahy of Canton; a great-granddaughter, Samantha Acus, and a nephew and several nieces.
He was predeceased by three sons, Joseph P. Cortesi, Thomas M. Cortesi and Mark A. Cortesi.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services will be conducted Friday, Nov. 28, at 11 from Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington by the Rev. Jill Graham. Burial service with nilitary honors will follow in Sheffield Center Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Friends of the Soldier's Home or Hospice Life Care through funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.