Obituary of David L. Cortez

David L. Cortez December 14, 1949 - January 01, 2008 David L. Cortez, age 58, of Brookfield, devoted husband of Dymphna Harrigan, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 1st. He was born in Santa Barbara, CA on December 14, 1949, son of Lawrence F. Cortez of San Jose, CA, and the late Margaret (Hamilton) Cortez. David received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of California Santa Barbara. He worked as a Senior Manufacturing, Research and Development Engineer for Covidien, formerly US Surgical, in North Haven where he contributed to the development of a variety of medical devices and is named on many patents. David began his career in 1975 at COBE Laboratories in Colorado. A loving and devoted father, he supported his children's many endeavors. When they were young, he enjoyed volunteering as a Scout Master for Cub Scouts and was a member of the Brookfield Marching Band and Color Guard "Pit Crew." He was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Brookfield and was a former member of the Mad Hatters. David loved music and enjoyed singing in the St. Marguerite and St. Peter Church choirs. In addition to his father, and beloved wife, Dymphna, he will be sadly missed by his son, Michael Cortez of Brookfield; two daughters, Maura H. Murphy and husband, Adam, of Grand Blanc, MI, and Celestine R. Cortez of Brookfield; his grandson, Kai Murphy; his brother, Mark Cortez of CA; and three sisters, Linda Wall, Virginia Bryant, and Rita Cortez, all of CA; as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral Information The family will receive friends for a Memorial Gathering at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Friday between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00am. at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield. Friends are invited following Mass to continue the celebration of David's life at 27 Dorset Lane, Brookfield.