Joaquin Cortiella II, a proud son of Puerto Rico and a Corporal of World War 2, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Joaquin was born on December 19, 1926 in Manati, Puerto Rico; married to Mayda Pagan Guadarama also of Manati, Puerto Rico on December 22, 1951 and lived in San Francisco, California, Brooklyn, New York and passed away in his home in Seminole, Florida. Joaquin was a merchant marine for six years and retired as an inspector of the Long Island Rail Road. Joaquin was a proud member of American Legion Post #273 of Madeira Beach, Florida. He was predeceased by his daughter Mayda in 1978. He is survived by COL (Ret.) Joaquin Cortiella III, MD of Galveston, Texas, wife Maureen, children Samuel and Christopher, and great granddaughter Viviana; David Cortiella, Esq. of Dorchester, Massachusetts, wife Betty and children Kenny and Nina; Ronald Cortiella, of Titusville, Florida, wife Gladys, children Karif and Monica and great grandchildren Joaquin IV, Miles, Letizia, and Natalia; and Sharon Cortiella Amorosa, RN of Poughkeepsie, New York, husband Freddy, and children Daniel and Dana.

Survived by his sisters and other family members. Joaquin brought joy to everyone around him, was an avid Red Sox fan, and loved his family. In his final years, he lived at Freedom Square in Seminole where his famous smile and blue eyes made the room shine. Joaquin will be missed. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Sun Coast Hospice who helped our parents during this difficult transition. Please make donations to www.suncoasthospicefoundation.org.

Services and Ceremonies in Joaquin’s honor are being arranged by Veterans Funeral Care.  Mr. Cortiella will be interred at Bay Pines National Cemetery (10000 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33708) on Thursday, December 19 at 1:00 pm with military honors being performed by US Army Funeral Detail and American Legion Post 273. May he rest in peace.