Uniroyal retiree
Stephen “Steve” Kortis, 90, beloved husband for 61 years of Matilda “Tillie” (Janczewski), a father, Poppy, great-grandfather and friend, died suddenly Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015.
He was born in Ashley, Pa., the son of Mary and Anthony Kortis, and lived in Naugatuck since 1947. Despite his small stature, Stephen was an avid football player and succeeded in receiving his varsity letter at Ashley High School. In service to our country, Stephen was a seaman second class in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Stephen lovingly raised four children while working two jobs to provide for his family. He retired from Uniroyal after 30-plus years. He then worked at Risdon Corp. in Thomaston, Conn., and retired there after 5 years.
During the spring and summer, you would find him sitting on the deck enjoying the “hummers” coming to feed and sharing his prized tomatoes and cucumbers. An enthusiastic Giants and Red Sox fan, he never missed game day and always shared his enjoyment of local sports with his family. His love of the card game Yaniv and consistent victory over his grandchildren in “Words with Friends” kept him sharp well into his later years.
Steve and Tillie traveled outside of the U.S., but they loved their frequent trips to Maine most of all. In addition to being the best Dad and Poppy in the world, Steve was a friend like no other.
He is survived by his sisters, Mary Machulskis of Bordentown, N.J.; Eleanor Stevens of Shickshinny, Pa.; and Betty Hughes of Wilkes Barre, Pa.; his four children: Stephen A. Kortis of W. Barnstable, Mass.; Kathleen A. Kortis of Simsbury; Pamela J. Palmer of Naugatuck and Sheryl K. Desrochers of Simsbury. He also is survived by his sons-in-law, Dennis Desrochers and Bernard Rynecki; daughter-in-law Kathleen Q. Kortis; and several nieces and nephews. His 14 grandchildren: Rebecca, Aaron, Stephen Mathew, Megan, Ian, Amie, Zachary, Seth, Kara, Nicholas, Larissa, Spencer, Sean and Jayden and his seven great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He will be dearly missed by his many friends.
His funeral will be Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, at 10 a.m. from the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home at 240 N. Main St. in Naugatuck, to St. Francis of Assisi Church at 318 Church St. in Naugatuck for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in St. James Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, with members of the Naugatuck Veterans Council meeting at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.
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