Dr. Benjamin A. Corteza, MD

Dr. Benjamin A. Corteza, M. D., age 85, of Bloomsburg died peacefully Wednesday evening November 1, 2023 at the Maria Joseph Manor in Danville.

Born in Iloilo City, Philippines on March 12, 1938, he was the youngest of six children born to the late Julio and Quintina (Abeto) Corteza.

Ben was a 1955 graduate of San Augustine University High School and continued his education at the University of Santo Thomas, graduating in 1963 with his Medical Doctor degree. He practiced medicine in his hometown for several years before moving to New Jersey. He did his residency at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, N.J.

He moved his family to Bloomsburg where he worked in the Emergency Room of the former Bloomsburg Hospital from 1975 to 1978 and at the same time, he began his private practice.   He also worked part time at Danville State Hospital and when he retired from private practice in 1991, he became the fulltime Medical Director of Long-Term Care at Danville State Hospital. He retired from that position in 2011.

Ben was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, Bloomsburg. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the former Bloomsburg Hospital from 1982 to 1984 and was a former president of the Medical Staff at the Hospital.

He was a longtime member of the Bloomsburg Rotary Club and served as club president in 1982 and  was a Paul Harris Fellow.   

Part of his daily routine was to walk at the Columbia Mall and buy his Lotto tickets. He enjoyed spending weekends in Philadelphia with his grandchildren.   

Surviving are his wife, the former Linda Lopez, with who he observed their 56^th wedding anniversary on June 10, 2023; two daughters: Rose C., wife of Rand Siegel of Ambler and Belinda, wife of Steve Badger of Roxbury, Conn.; a son Julio Benjamin Corteza of Blue Bell; three grandchildren: Tommy Reilly, Jordan Siegel and Meeks Badger. He was the last of his immediate family. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Spring at St. Columba Catholic Church at a time to be announced.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg.