James (Vinny) Cortese

James (Vinny) Cortese, 85, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Cos Cob, CT, Vinny was the devoted son of Carmelo (Tony) and Josephine Cortese.

A proud 1958 graduate of Iona Prep, he attended the University of Arizona for one year before deciding college was not for him. In 1960, he entered the banking industry with The Fairfield County Trust Co. in Greenwich, CT, where he worked for two years. He then returned to the family business, joining his uncle at New England Oil, remaining there until 1964. Vinny also served his country as a member of the Connecticut National Guard, completing six months of active duty followed by six years in the reserves.

In 1964, he married the love of his life, Annette Loglisci, and raised their four children, Anthony, Lisa, Vincent, and Michelle, over their 61 years together. They ran several successful business ventures together, including Superior Beverage (a home-delivery soda company) and Vincent Cortese Landscaping, where Vinny developed a thriving commercial landscaping enterprise.

Vinny was an avid supporter and coach in Stamford's Babe Ruth League for players aged 13–15, dedicating more than 15 years to mentoring his son and countless others. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in consolidating all Stamford Babe Ruth leagues into a single organization, as well as the first fall ball league for Stamford Babe Ruth. He then served as its first president. He took immense pride in his coaching, later extending his involvement to the 16–18-year-old league for six years. Under his guidance, teams achieved a regional championship in the 16-year-old division and participated in multiple World Series tournaments across the country. Baseball was the love of his life whether he was watching the Yankees, coaching his players, or sharing his love of the sport with others that loved it just as much as him.

A Loyal Friend to So Many:

Beyond his family and professional relationships, Vinny surrounded himself with lifelong friendships built on integrity and respect. His authenticity and deep loyalty to his closest friends meant that you had an Ally for the rest of your life that would move heaven and hell for you. He took his friendships very seriously, often offering advice that could codify some of the most complex problems down to their most simplistic form. he truly enjoyed helping those closest to him.

Vinny is survived by his beloved wife, Annette; his children, Anthony, Lisa, Vincent and his wife, Tricia, and Michelle; and his cherished grandchildren, Jana, Isabella, Maria, Gabriella, Diana, and Marvin.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 11:30AM, at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, in Stamford.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations are encouraged and may be made to the American Kidney Fund at https://give.kidneyfund.org/.

To leave messages of condolence to Vinny’s family please visit the guestbook on www.cognetta.com.