HOWELL – A World War II Navy veteran’s recent 101st birthday bash included four generations of his family and fellow residents from Brandywine Living.
Organizers of the community’s tribute to National Assisted Living Week decided to shine the spotlight on Salvatore “Sal” Cortese as he embraced his second year as a centenarian. The celebration adopted a Forest Gump theme, complete with Bubba Gump shrimp décor and tunes from the movie’s soundtrack.
A call on social media for birthday cards to honor Cortese led to an incredible response, with 86 colored envelopes arriving for him to open on his special day.
Born on September 23, 1922, Cortese spent his younger days in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, New York. He came into the world the same year that welcomed the births of Betty White and Judy Garland. Warren G. Harding was president.
Four generations of family members were in attendance of Sal Cortese’s 101st birthday celebration. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Men sported wingtip shoes, while knickerbockers were the rage in fashion for men. Ray Miller and his orchestra played “The Sheik of Araby,” and the average annual income was $3,143. In the world of international relations, a five-power Naval Disarmament Treaty was signed among the United States, Britain, Italy, Japan, and France.
Cortese recalled living through the Great Depression and the relief programs put in place to help those in need. He emphasized that all worked hard to earn just a little money.
Some eighteen years after his birth, Cortese enlisted in the Navy and accumulated invaluable experience while serving on four different carrier ships during World War II.
“We were out for six months or eight months at a time,” shared Cortese. “We were stationed in the South Pacific.”
A part of Cortese’s military service took place within the United States. He recalled being stationed at a facility in Malibu, where the Navy had a presence.
“They were training young kids there to be fighter pilots because they had ideal weather conditions there,” Cortese explained. “They sent us out there to fix the airplanes and get them ready to fly for the guys as young as me.”
Cortese married his wife Josephine in 1954 and loved his life with her until she died two years ago.
With a twinkle in his eye and a warm smile, Cortese first explained the secret to his long-lasting life.
Birthday guests were asked to sign a poster wishing Sal Cortese a happy birthday. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“Have a glass of wine with every meal,” Cortese said. “My dad always had a bottle of red wine on the table since the time I was a kid.”
When asked about the recipe for enjoying more than six decades of marriage, Cortese closely echoed his response to longevity in general.
“A glass of wine at dinner every night,” smiled Cortese.
When Cortese decided to further his career as an electronics technician with the Department of Defense, the couple moved south. Cortese described his role as involving overhauling aerial missiles, eventually leading him to Norfolk as a Little Creek Naval base civilian employee. After dedicating 40 years to his government career, Cortese retired, and the couple decided to make their home in Florida.
Sal and Josephine were unable to have children of their own; however, they readily embraced the role of adopting their siblings’ children. That generation played a pivotal role in bringing Cortese to Howell so he could be close to family.
“We were in Florida, and I was all alone when my wife died,” Cortese explained. “They brought me here.”
Cortese’s niece Laura Fox said her uncle lived with her family in Howell for the first year until he moved into Brandywine. Cortese has limited sight and hearing issues and struggles with breathing as a result of COPD.
A display shows Sal Cortese through the years. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Numerous nieces and nephews were integral to the 101st birthday celebration, which included Susan Cortese Oneil and her husband, James Oneil, Laura Intanno Fox and her husband Timothy Fox. Their oldest daughter, Brianne Fox Dossantos and her husband Arlindo Dossantos and children Alessia and Jaxon, were also there as was their youngest daughter, Deana Fox Romero and her husband, Santiago Romero.
Despite his challenges, Cortese has mastered the computer and even uses Facebook. Over the years, he’s also put together a library of his collection of big band music.
While Cortese admitted he did his share of “chasing girls” during his Navy days, he referred to his late wife as his real girlfriend. Nevertheless, there is one woman Cortese would still like to meet.
“I’ve heard there’s a lady here who has me beat by a year,” said Cortese. “She’s 102, and I haven’t met her yet.”
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