When they were very young, Nathan and Henry found great joy in doing many things unclothed. They both also participated in karate. Which, of course, led to Cory exclaiming, “No naked karate!”
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Corey was always the steady, loyal, trusted, anchored and anchoring person in the room. A quiet, faithful presence. Though very successful in his work and the guy you wanted on your side in any competitive endeavor, Corey was above all a man of God, a family man, and a churchman. We have been gone from the city for over 12 years now, but will always remember "first Fridays with the Cates" as this wonderful family opened their hearts and home to ours month after month. KariJo, Nathan, Henry, Caroline, and Betsy, our hearts and prayers are with you. We cannot imagine the depth of grief that you must feel, and pray that the Lord Jesus would hold you especially close during this season of loss and of remembering an exceptionally great man that you call your own. Much love to you, precious friends.
9
There are so many small but so very big stories of kind and gentle Cory that I have tucked in my memory bank. In most of them I am just a witness to Cory’s absolute joy in marveling at the cleverness and sweetness of children. Cory often had a baby somewhere on the end of his arm. (Many times it was one of mine). He was happy to bounce a fussy baby till they were a smiley baby, happy to giggle with a cooing baby until they were both cackling with joy. For such a tall man it is remarkable to me that in many of my memories I was at his eye level or higher and that’s because he was so often sitting on the ground playing with our kids. What a beautiful soul. We cannot wait to see you again.
9
Our deepest condolences to your whole family, Kari Jo. Lifting you up in prayer.
2
No words can express my deep condolences to Kari Jo and children. Cory was always an upstanding human being. His thoughtfulness and kind spirit was so appreciated. He was always eager to share stories of his family and in return always asked about my family. He definitely created a wonderful foundation to be carried on and he leaves a legacy of a beautiful family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
3
My most vivid impression was of Cory finishing his grad work at Columbia and realizing there were not good jobs in his field in NYC. So what did Cory do? He reinvented himself in order to stay in NYC.
Thank you Cory and thank you Lord that the Cory and the Cates family influenced so many in this city.
9
Dear Kari Jo, Nathan, Caroline, Henry and Betsy, My deepest condolences. I am praying for you now and I will keep praying. You are a blessing for my family and I am blessed by your love for Jesus and for people. I have so many memories of Cory with the kids in our community Group and with Sebàstian and your amazing support and hospitality. May the Lord bring you comfort. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Nilse and Jonathan and Sebàstian.
2
2019, New York City
Community Group
— with
Cory and Sebastian
5
Oh Kari Jo. I wish there was some kind of wisdom I could share that would somehow make this easier but there really isn't at least in this world. The only thing that has consoled me is that Tim is gloriously happy and healed and fulfilled and everything sad has come untrue for him. And the same is true of Cory and will be of us eventually. This part of eternity is short and hard but we are everyday moving towards the part of eternity that lasts and gets better and better. Isaiah 57:1 and 2 have also helped me. What is inexplicable to us and having Cory and Tim taken away when we needed them so much to still be here was a reward for them. For us it doesn't feel that way but for them it is a promotion! I will pray for you as I do for myself my sister
14
I had the incredible pleasure and fortune to work for Cory at Credit Suisse as my first job out of Grad school. Cory was both brilliant and humble - he was passionate and curious, incredibly motivated, and incredibly caring (about his team, about others, and about his family).
We used to go for lunches at Lenny’s sandwich shop and Baluchi’s Indian Café and the conversations with Cory were deep and effortless. He cared deeply about Kari Jo and his kids and loved to share updates on their Brownstone project. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting his family, I felt like I knew them from all the stories Cory would share.
To reiterate – Cory was brilliant, and I learned a ton from him. He made me a better person and I will miss him dearly. Deepest condolences to Kari Jo and the rest of the Cates family. May you find some solace in the knowledge that Cory’s legacy endures, that he left the world a far better place than he found it, and that he touched the lives of many (even those who worked for him).
4
We are so sorry for your loss. Wishing your family peace and comfort. Jane D'Emic, Noelle Giachinta, and Johanna Reinhardt
0
Rest in peace Cory and may all God’s graces comfort KariJo, Nathan, Henry, Caroline and Betsy! All the Orjis send their love and sympathies. ❤️❤️
2
We have so many warm memories of Cory and Kari Jo from our days at Redeemer. We will forever remember Cory for his hospitality, generosity, kindness, humility, and sacrificial love for his neighbors. With deepest condolences and prayers, the Rotondos
1
Kari Jo, though I only had a one or two interactions with Cory in person, I felt such warmth & kindness in him. How I wish I had a more chance to get to know him but for now I look forward to learning about him through you guys. Love you! —Jennifer Ahn
1
Cory was not only a leader but also one of my mentors. He will be truly missed.
For the past 7 years Cory and I worked closely together almost every day shaping the IT department at Longevity Holdings into what it is today.
I’ll never forget the day I interviewed for the position, in which Cory called on my drive home to offer me the job.
2 weeks later I was working alongside him, and he made a special trip to Minnesota to meet me in person.
I’ll also never forget the last time I saw and spoke to him. Often there are many months between our in-person encounters, but ironically I just saw Cory last week when he was in Minnesota for our annual audit.
My last conversation with him was on Monday morning for our weekly check in, and in hindsight I wish it had been better.
I’ll never forget the years spent working with Cory, and the compassion and understanding he presented to me as he helped guide me along my journey.
My days will be different without him.
2
I have never met anyone like Cory. We worked together for many years and for 1 of those years we jammed 5 people in a 10 X 14 office, that is when you really get to know someone. Cory was the brightest person I have ever met. He was hard working, humble, athletic, funny, generous, and truly kind. He would love to share stories and updates about his family. He loved his family so much when he spoke about them, he was beaming with pride. I will always cherish the sports talk (and occasional wager), debating hypothetical scenarios, celebratory dinners, Yankee games, and just being around one the most genuine people I have ever met. I learned so much just being around him, he always had a unique approach to complicated problems that just made them easier. I do not think I ever told him how much I appreciated and respected him, which I regret now. It was an honor to be friends with him and will be missed forever. He truly was one of a kind.
7
2019, Cold Spring, NY, USA
This was such a special day for us where we got to experience the hospitality and love of the Cates family. Cory had cooked up delicious food for us from the grill, he showed us his work station in the old barn, and he was so loving and playful towards our young kids. I will always remember his kindness and hospitality. I will remember what a wonderful husband and father he was as I saw firsthand how wonderful all 4 of their kids were with our little ones and the love they all had for each other which was so evident in the glimpse we got to see that day. ❤️
2
Cory may have been a man of few words, but don’t be fooled! He had a competitive spirit that spoke all on its own! The Kramer family’s favorite memory of Cory was an intense family snowball fight one winter day about 18 years ago! Snowballs flew back and forth across the fences of our connecting garden apartments….the Kramer “boys” against the Cates “boys”! Cory never said a word, but his head would pop up over the fence from time to time with a smirk as he was slinging snowballs into our garden. He was pelting us like Will Ferrell in the Movie “Elf!” 🤣We all laughed hard that day!😜🥰
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2
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