Born in Somerville, he was the eldest son of Anthony and Concetta Cortese. He graduated from Somerville High School in 1964 and Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1969 with a degree in Electronic Engineering. His 47-year career culminated in a position as Lead Electrical Senior Designer at Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation. In addition to designing electrical systems for massive power plants and possessing the ability to envision and execute complex projects on the macro scale, he was a mechanical genius on the micro scale as well, adept at such wide-ranging projects as installing hardwood floors, replacing power windows, building folding screens from scratch, refurbishing items from the local Take-It-Leave-It shack, wiring a dollhouse for electricity, and unjamming any printer. He was an avid boater, recreational fisherman, reader, and an inspired cook whether recreating his mother’s recipes (Italian wedding soup, stuffed artichokes, and chicken cutlets) or perfecting his own (most notably his Sunday morning pancakes).
Anthony loved raw quahogs, science fiction—especially Star Trek and Star Wars, working on cars and boats, and taking Sunday drives with his wife, Sandra, by his side. Known for his contagious laugh and big smile, he was a four-time cancer survivor, the first of which struck when he was 10. The cancer’s return in 1979 required the amputation of his right leg. Kidney failure in 2015 precipitated the dialysis treatments he subsequently underwent, which nevertheless did not keep him from traveling to Texas for the birth of his first grandchild.
He and his wife celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in August. In addition to Sandra, he leaves behind his son, Anthony III, of Pocasset, daughter, Catherine (Katie) and son-in-law William (Robby), of Lubbock, TX, and grandson, Milo, as well as his brother, Carmen, and sister-in-law, Janet, as well as dear friends Damien and Mary Curtiss. He was predeceased by his son A.J. in 1985.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 29th 2017 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd. Bourne, MA 02532. A Memorial service will be held on December 30, 2017 at 10:00am for family and friends at St. John the Evangelist, 841 Shore Rd. Pocasset, MA 02559. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the McCarthy Care Center, 73 Service Rd. East Sandwich, MA 02537 or to the charity of one’s choice.
For online condolences please visit www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18