Ernest Daniel "Dan" Corte, Jr.

FAIRHOPE  Ernest Daniel “Dan” Corte, Jr., age 77, a native and life-long resident of the Fairhope area, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family.   Dan was a life-long member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.  He grew up in Fairhope and lived on the bay in Battles Wharf his entire adult life.  He attended University Military School (UMS), where he graduated in 1953.  He went on to attend Georgetown University, Springhill College and graduated from Tulane University in 1957.  Dan was a proud member of the large Italian farming Corte family in Baldwin County.  He farmed himself in the 1960’s.  He was also a life-long realtor and insurance agent.  In the 1960’s and 70’s he was a co-owner of Corte & Clark, as well as Major Home developers/homebuilders. In 1977 he opened the first Popeye’s Chicken franchise outside Louisiana which he owned until 2007.  He was the celebrity chairman for the PGA’s World Open Pro-AM, Pinehurst, NC, in 1973, and for the Ken Stabler Celebrity Golf Classic from 1990 until 2001, Point Clear, AL.  Dan was a charter member of the Alabama Film Commission, originally appointed by Governor George Wallace.  He assisted many movie companies with filming in Alabama and especially in Mobile and Baldwin Counties and with that connection he formed many close friendships, who became “dear dear friends” from Hollywood.  He also acted in several local plays, such as “Run for Your Wives”.  He had an occasional part in the motion pictures that were filmed in Alabama, such as “Backroads” and “Under Siege”.  Among his many accomplishments, he was also a co-producer of the 2011 film “Alabama Moon” … The man just loved movies.  He also loved traveling all over the world and knew where most of the finer restaurants were located … the man just loved to travel and eat.  Dan was an epic joke teller and practical joker, to family and friends alike. He was proficient at telling a joke and laughing so hard at his own jokes, that his face would turn beet red with tears running down his face … above all, the man loved to laugh with family and friends.    Mr. Corte was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest D., Sr. and Berta Griffin Corte, and his wife Camille Head Corte.   He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Lavender Corte, children, E. Daniel “Danny” (Trudy) Corte III, Cindy Corte (Dan) Trice, R. M. “Tripp” (Lee-Lyn) Howard III, Kim Howard (Chip) Campbell,C. Chase (Wynter) Corte, Cameron T. Corte, J. Rucker Staggers, W. Joseph Staggers, T. Cameron Staggers, all of Fairhope,grandchildren, Christopher Sims, Camille K. and E. R. IV “Camp” Campbell,Caroline E. “Carly” and Madalena E. Corte, Charleen B., Jacob L. and Collier A. Firlus, Sydney R., Mason M., Ansley M. and Shelby M. Howard, R. Blake and Connor W. Owens, Jamie C., M. Hannah and Julie E. Trice, brother, A. Dexter (Anne) Corte, Sr., of Loxley, nieces, nephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends.   The family will receive friends at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope, Friday, January 20, 2012, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held from St. Lawrence Catholic Church Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 11:00am.  Interment will follow in Belforest Catholic Cemetery, Daphne, AL.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Bayside Academy, 303 Dryer Avenue, Daphne, AL 36526, www.baysideacademy.org or U. S. A Mitchell Cancer Institute, 1660 Springhill Avenue, Mobile, AL 36604, www.usamci.com or Baldwin County Humane Society, 306 Magnolia Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532, www.baldwinhumane.org   ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775