Alvaro Cortes

Alvaro Cortes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and distinguished international banker, passed away at the age of 92.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Alvaro possessed a determination, curiosity, and adventurous spirit that would carry him across continents throughout his remarkable life.

In 1956, at the age of 22, Alvaro moved to the United States and began working on Wall Street in New York City. He entered the United States Army in 1957, completing basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, before serving in Germany, where he attained the rank of captain. He later earned his Master of Business Administration from Fordham University in New York.

Alvaro enjoyed a distinguished career in international banking, beginning with Chemical Bank, where he rose through its international division and represented the bank and its successor, Chemical J.P. Morgan, in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil.

His career subsequently took him to Caracas, Venezuela, representing HSBC, and to the Cayman Islands with the Portuguese bank BPA. He concluded his professional career in Miami, Florida, representing Banif, a Lisbon-based banking institution, and served on the board of Sun State Bank from 2012 to 2023.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Alvaro was a lifelong sportsman who enjoyed golf and tennis. As a young man in Colombia, he was also a competitive bicycle racer, reflecting the energy, discipline, and determination that characterized his life.

Above all, Alvaro's greatest pride and most enduring legacy was his family.

He is survived by Elizabeth, his beloved wife of 61 years; his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Karlene; his daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law, Emmanuel Sebag; and his cherished granddaughters, Maya, 16, and Siena, 13.

Alvaro lived an extraordinary 92 years, a journey that began in Bogotá and carried him around the world. He will be remembered for his intelligence, independence, adventurous spirit, professional accomplishments, and, most importantly, his devotion to those he loved.

His was a life of accomplishment, adventure, service, and family—a remarkable legacy that will endure for generations.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 9:30AM on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at the Church of the Little Flower, 2711 Indian Mound Trail, Coral Gables, FL 33134.