Charles Ray “Rat” Cortez, 77

Mr. Charles Ray “Rat” Cortez, 77, of New Castle passed away on Thursday, June 19th, 2025 at the UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Cortez was born on June 7th, 1948 in Ellwood City to the late Leroy and Betty Louise (Newton) Cortez. He had graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1967. After high school Rat was drafted by the United States Army and served with the 101st Airborne Rangers during the Vietnam War Era doing many search and destroy missions. Following his service with the Army he worked at Calgon later know as Nalco as a senior operations manager. Rat then moved to Meridianville, Alabama where he worked for Cinram for 22 years. Rat was a motorcycle enthusiast having ridden with the Outlaws, Brothers of the Confederacy, Hand Full, and the Black Pistons. An outdoorsman he enjoyed racing homing pigeons, hunting, fishing, gardening, hot rods, playing pool, and watching Alabama Crimson Tide Football. Rat held memberships at the New Castle VFW Post 315 and the Eagles Club. He especially enjoyed time spent with his family and numerous friends.

Rat is survived by his sons, Jeff Cortez of New Castle and Tyler Cortez of Ellwood City, and his grandchild, Sidney Michael Cortez.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Kelly Reese Cortez, sister, Michelle “Micki” Irwin, and former wife, Dianne Lynn (Bair) Cortez.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, June 26th, 2025 from 2:00 pm until the time of the memorial service at 4:00 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. Members of the Veterans Honor Guard are asked to meet at the funeral home by 3:50 pm to conduct full military honors. Inurnment will be at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.