Obituary of Dan Cortigiano

U. S. Army Veteran Dan Cortigiano, age 89, of Milford, beloved husband of Cynthia Romer Cortigiano, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 with his wife by his side at Golden Hill Health Care following a short illness. Born in Bridgeport on June 4, 1922, he was the son of the late Leonard and Giovanna Patricello Cortigiano. He was a longtime resident of Milford and formerly of Bridgeport. Dan attended Harding High School where he excelled in football for four years and basketball, baseball and track for two years. In his senior year, Dan became the fifth person to win four varsity letters in one school year. After graduation, he played two years of semi-pro football, first with the Fairfield Tigers then the Stratford Rams. Dan proudly wore the uniform of his country by serving in the U. S. Army from December 1942-October 1945. He was a corporal with the 111th Engineer Combat Battalion. He was involved in the D Day invasion at Salerno, Italy. Battles in Italy were Monte Cassino and Rapido River, Crossing. Dan won his first bronze star in France in February of 1945, and the Oak Leaf Cluster in May of 1945 in Germany. After the service, Dan went into the gas station business with his brother, then decided to try on his own. For over 50 years he owned and operated gas and repair stations in Bridgeport and Fairfield. He was a member of the DAV Chapter 15. He received the Golden Crown Athletic award presented by the Stratford Old Timers in 1997 and a Sports Award from the Bridgeport Old Timers. In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by his brother, Frank Cortigiano of Milford and his devoted nieces and nephews, Dan and Lorrie Cortigiano of Derby, Leonard and Eileen Cortigiano of Florida, Louis and Betty Lou Cortigiano of Shelton, Frank Cortigiano II of Naugatuck, Leonard Cortigiano III of Derby, George and Judy Romer of Milford, Janis and Phil Kelsey of Florida, Noreen and Bob Davis of Ansonia, Laura and Marc Cotrain of Woodstock as well as several great nieces and nephews, great grand nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by two brothers, Louis and Leonard Cortigiano. The family would like to thank Golden Hill Health Care Center for their kindness and loving care provided by the office staff, nurses and aides. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Gabriel Church, Milford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Kings Highway Cemetery, Milford. Friends may call on Friday from 4-7 p.m. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or Vitas Hospice, 99 Hawley Lane, Suite 1204, Stratford, CT 06614.