Eric Steven Cortez died on December 26th, 2017 after a brave and hopeful 18 month battle with stomach cancer.
Eric was born on October 18, 1985 in Harlingen, Texas. He was the only child of Rene Cortez and Cecilia Cortez Hobbs.
Eric grew up in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Madison High School in 2004. He graduated from MIT in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Software Engineering.
While in Boston, Eric met the love of his life Meaghan Ann. Eric and Meaghan were married on June 28th, 2014 in Providence, Rhode Island. On November 25th 2016, Meaghan and Eric welcomed their daughter Catalina into the world. She has been Eric’s greatest joy and source of hope and strength.
Eric was an incredible friend, son, husband, and father. He enriched many lives through his contagious energy, humor, and generosity. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife, Meaghan Cortez, and their daughter Catalina; his mother Cecilia Hobbs; his stepfather Larry Hobbs; his sister-in-law Jacqueline Martinez and her husband Michael Martinez, along with their children, Eric’s niece Elsie and nephew and godson Zachary; his parents-in-law Sandra and Steven Pigeon; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Eric was predeceased by his father Rene Cortez, who was also lost to cancer.
There will be two opportunities to celebrate Eric’s life.
The first memorial service will be held on Saturday January 6th at 1pm at the MIT Chapel at 48 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA. For those who may be unable to join us in Cambridge, a live stream of the memorial service may be seen at http://web.mit.edu/webcast/memorial/1802/
The second memorial service will be held on Saturday January 13th at 11 am at Garden Heights at 18816 FM 2252/Nacogdoches Road, Bldg G-H, San Antonio, TX 78266. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund for Eric’s daughter Catalina has been established (https://go.fidelity.com/vr4uu).