Joseph Corte, 71, passed away Monday, October 8, 2012, with his family at his side. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 11, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124, where the Rosary will be prayed at 4p.m. Family and friends will meet on Friday, October 12, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 919 NE 96th Street, Kansas City, MO 64155, where the Mass of Christian Burial will begin 10 a.m. Entombment will follow in White Chapel Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be sent to NorthCare Hospice, 2900 Clay Edwards Dr, North Kansas City, MO 64116.

At the age of fourteen years old Joseph and his father traveled from their home in Poggioreale, Sicily to America in search for a better life, working hard with his father while going to school until his mother and brothers were able to join them in Kansas City. He graduated Northeast High School in 1960, continuing on to beauty school and married Sandra Graham of Emporia, KS in 1964.

After marriage Joseph and Sandra opened a hair salon, Joseph's Coiffure, until taking a job at TWA in 1978 to better support his new young family and furthering his skilled hands, to become an airline machinist. He was a proud member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as well as distinguishing himself with many employee awards and recognitions during his career. After 27 years of service he retired in 2005 from American Airlines as Parts Manager at the KCI overhaul base. He had the honor of being one of the original parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church and a member of the American Sons of Columbus of Kansas City. In life and in retirement, Joe simply enjoyed his friends and family, cooking and gatherings on Sunday, playing cards, going to the club and traveling.

His strong will and love for life kept him with continued hope as long as God allowed. He is now with many people he loved. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nunzia Corte, sister-in-law Anne Corte and nephew Michael Frank Corte.

Survivors include his wife Sandra Corte of Kansas City; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Paul LeVota of Independence; son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Diane Corte of Kansas City; son, Larry Corte of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Meghan LeVota, Madeline LeVota, Kennedy Corte and Gavin Corte; brother and sister-in-law, Gino and Paula Corte of Gladstone, MO; brother and sister-in-law, Pietro and Linda Corte of Gladstone, MO; nieces and nephews, Alan Hill, Steven Hill, Nunzia and Reggie Hoog, Christopher Corte, Lauren Corte, Annie Hoog and Stella Hoog.

The family's deepest thanks to Rev. Matthew Brumleve, Joe's wonderful hospice nurse Jessica Cabra, volunteer Mary Lou Lawton and everyone at NorthCare Hospice for all their care and compassion. We'd also like to thank our pallbearers: Ross Messina, Mike Chiappetta, Flavio Miglia, Pat Messina, Christopher Corte, Tony Quinonez, Bruce Graham and Joseph's grandson, Gavin Corte, serving as honorary pallbearer.

Online condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.