John A. Cortese Way (Brooklyn)
Present name:None
Location:At the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Troy Avenue
Honoree: John A. Cortese (1924-2020) was a fixture in the Marine Park neighborhood for over 80 years. His business, "The Golden Gate Market'" opened in 1939 and operated until March 2020. He spent his early years in Park Slope and Prospect Heights, but in 1939 when his parents opened "The Golden Gate Fancy Fruits and Vegetables Market" at 2080 Flatbush Avenue, Flatlands became his home. In Word War II, as a corporal in the 551st Field Artillery, he landed on Omaha Beach in mid-June, 1944 and fought in France, Germany and Belgium. Whenever anyone acknowledged, honored or thanked him for his service, he would always say: "Honor the guys that never made it home, they are the true heroes." He was an active parishioners of Saint Thomas Aquinas, where he was a member of the Holy Name Society and an usher at the 11 o'clock mass for over 50 years. He is best known as the owner of "The Golden Gate Market" on Flatbush Avenue. He was a treasure trove of recipes, songs, and of WWII and neighborhood history. He understood "food insecurity" before the term was ever used, and always sent those in need home with overflowing bags. He worked five days a week until March 7, 2020, when he agreed to close until the corona virus pandemic passed. He spoke at Veteran's events and participated in the WW II Honor Flight to Washington D.C. At the age of 95, he was honored at a Brooklyn Nets game, at the Barclay Center, that brought thousands to a standing ovation. (Maisel)
LL:2022/54

John Cortese Way (Brooklyn)
Present name:7th Avenue
Location:Between 7th Street and 8th Street
Honoree: John Cortese (d. 2014), a Korean War veteran, he ran J.J. Cortese Fancy Fruit and Vegetable Market until he retired in 1998. He served as the president of the 7th Avenue Merchants Association and was instrumental in its founding in the 1980s. He was also well known for his leadership of the Park Slope Baseball League for 53 years. He was the annual organizer of the Little League Parade marking the opening of the Little League season in Prospect Park. Mayor Koch honored him as the Commissioner of Prospect Park Baseball and a baseball field in the park was named in his honor. He served as president of both the 72nd Police Precinct Community Council and Sing Out Brooklyn. (Lander)
LL:2015/15