Joe Cortese Passes Away

Beloved Capistrano volunteer, Rotarian and veterinarian Joe "Dr. Fleas" Cortese passed away about 5 p.m. Thursday.

He was 67. His wife, Goldee, was with him in the Texas hospital when he died. They had been on a family vacation in New Mexico when he was suddenly struck ill. He lapsed into a coma and never recovered.

Plans are preliminary, but he will likely be cremated there, with his remains spread into the Pecos River. A memorial service in San Juan Capistrano will be planned.

Cortese was a member of the Rotary for more than 30 years. "He was the heart of the club," recent President Larry Kramer said.

Here's a news release from Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort:

It is with overwhelming sadness that Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) announces the passing of our Founding Member, former President and Animal Welfare Chairman, and friend, Dr. Joe Cortese, DVM, on November 6, 2008.  “Dr. Fleas,” as he was lovingly known, passed away suddenly while at a family reunion in New Mexico.

“Dr. Cortese was instrumental in the establishment of CARE,” stated Marsha Schwartze, past president.  “He donated thousands of hours in services to treat hundreds of stray animals prior to adoption.

"Without his involvement CARE would not exist."

Dr. Cortese obtained his veterinary degree from University and in 1973 founded the Capistrano Veterinary Clinic, where he became the longest-practicing veterinarian in San Juan Capistrano.

He served as past president of the Southern California Veterinary Medial Association, was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association, as well as past Chairman of the National Chapter of the Animal Welfare Foundation.  He was included in the 1992 “Who’s Who in Veterinary Medicine.”

Joe was a 30-year member of the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club and twice honored as Rotarian of the Year.  Also, Dr. Joe was a member of the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce for over 35 years, past board member of the San Juan Capistrano Boys and Girl’s Club and numerous local animal rescue groups.

As a cancer survivor, Joe was also active in the San Juan Capistrano Relay for Life.  In 2000 he was selected as San Juan Capistrano's Man of the Year and his name graces the city’s Wall of Recognition

Joe is survived by his wife, Goldee, his mother, a son, two daughters and seven grandchildren.  His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of his friends, his clients, his colleagues and his community, who all loved him dearly.

Comments

[Jim Reardon]

Dr. Joe Cortese was the first person I recall meeting when Helen and I adopted (or were taken-in by) San Juan Capistrano in 1982. The connection with Dr. Joe was probably formed over a distressed animal, most likely, a cat. We were living up in Rancho Carrillo at the time, just married, and well, you know... naive about animals, among other things.

The concept of "barn cats" had not fully formed in our thinking when we first sought help from Dr. Joe for an adopted and intact Siamese male with a fighting injury.

"There is nothing tougher than a Tom Cat's neck", informed Dr. Joe, and the mutilated fighter was coached-back to live a more sporting life predating wild rabbits. For a few years, everyone asked how the cat's ears and forehead were shredded in that way, but the Tom survived, happy and intact, for quite awhile longer.

How things have changed over the years. Today, some might consider that cat to be a cliché for life itself. Perhaps so.

Over dinner tonight, we discussed the connections in our lives, our marriage, our kids, our animals, and Dr. Joe. It wasn't difficult. We readily mark our lives by the coming and going of those we hold close, including the animals. Animals lead relatively short lives that serve to instruct us regarding our own places in the order of things. Tonight, each of us could readily place ourselves in relation to Dr. Joe and the animals he attended.

We should all wish to be remembered so.