Robert Boniface Cortez, 86 years old, of Pensacola, FL passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 after a peaceful morning spent with family and friends. He was born in Santa Barbara, CA on May 14, 1927 to Lawrence Chavez Cortez and Guadalupe Virginia (Padilla) Cortez. Robert was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Mary Anne Cortez, who fought a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer and passed in 2010. Sweetly inapposite in life, constantly complaining of and caring for each other, their reunion assuages those who remember and love them. Surviving Robert are his daughters, Catherine Cortez of Tiburon, CA; Mary Anne Cortez (William F. Price, Jr.) of Terre Haute, IN; Carolyn Cortez Slowikowski (Daniel) of Pensacola, FL; son Christopher Robert Cortez (Tami) of Honolulu, HI; and his sister Juliette (Cortez) Hay of Santa Barbara, CA. Affectionately known as "Old Bob" or "G-Bob" to his grandchildren, Robert is also survived by 11-Grandchildren, 4-Great Grandchildren, plus 2-additional Great Grandchildren scheduled to arrive in 2014. During his retirement years, Robert was blessed with the opportunity to fully explore his Roman Catholic faith and was a joyful member of the Knights of Columbus, participant in daily Mass, member of perpetual adoration and the weekly rosary group. He also enjoyed an antagonistic debate and was formerly active in the local Republican Club. Robert, a native of California, grew up in Santa Barbara the son of a successful and devout immigrant father. As a young man he worked in the family business and was spotted making deliveries throughout the area and surrounding communities. He inherited a passion for art, music, and photography from his mother and her creative family. After high school, he enlisted and served in the US Navy as a boatswain mate during World War II. He received his college degree from Loyola, and never missed an opportunity to win an argument by citing his "Jesuit training." Later he was commissioned as an Air Force officer, served in Viet Nam and retired as a Major. His many other civilian occupations included working in public affairs for Walt Disney in Anaheim, CA; Public Relations for Avon Corp. in NY City; and owner of a Mexican restaurant in Mercerville, NJ. After retirement, in 1992, Bob and his wife relocated to Pensacola where they embraced the people and community as their home. He was a passionate grandfather and delighted in traveling to Texas, New Jersey, Japan, Pennsylvania and Florida to help his children and serve as "nanny" for many of his treasured grandchildren. From thenceforth, he regaled his blessed progeny with stories of valor and traditional propriety, each tale slightly more embellished upon retelling. He exhibited feats of immense strength while opening pickle jars and courteously partook in other's birthday cakes despite the fact that he "did not like sweets." His sardonic wit and stubbornness shall be missed. His stories and quips shall linger. His lessons and example shall be emulated. Above all, the joy and love he gave those who knew him shall be cherished and remembered. Old Bob, try not to give Grandma Mary a hard time. A private viewing will be held on Monday, February 10, 2014 for his immediate family. Services on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 begin at 9:30 AM with rosary at St. Paul's RC Church, 3131 Hyde Park Road, Pensacola, FL, Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM and a reception to follow mass at the parish. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to St. Paul Catholic Church in memory of Robert Cortez, proceeds will be used to purchase a permanent memorial in the church.