Family members and friends attend Thursday's funeral for Manny Cortez at St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church. Cortez died Sunday following a heart attack. Photos by Clint Karlsen. Dan Musgrove, talking about his father-in-law, Manny Cortez, at Thursday's funeral, said Cortez always made time for family. The casket of Manny Cortez is wheeled to a waiting hearse after Thursday's funeral Mass at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church. Cortez was president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority from 1991 through mid-2004. Manny Cortez 62-year Las Vegas Valley resident died Sunday after a heart attack

The chapel bells ceased their melancholy ringing moments after the casket of Manny Cortez was carried from St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church on a sunny Thursday morning.

And though the bells' clamor quickly faded, the life and works of a man hundreds gathered to honor will resonate loudly for years to come, said friends and family of the longtime Southern Nevada leader.

"There's no question that this church is nearly full for a good reason. And that reason is obvious: that Manny affected a whole lot of people in a good way," said the Rev. Dave Casaleggio, who celebrated Cortez's funeral Mass.

"He was a man who served the community for a long time in a way few others could," Casaleggio said.

Cortez died at home early Sunday following a heart attack. He was 67.

Those who knew the 62-year local resident reflected on his public achievements, and the congeniality Cortez quietly shared with many he encountered.

"He was equally comfortable speaking with the president of the United States as he was speaking with a valet or shoeshine man," said Paul Masto, who married Cortez's youngest daughter, Catherine, in 1998. "The reason (for that comfort) is he never let his success spoil him."

Son-in-law Dan Musgrove recalled Cortez's affection for his family, particularly his grandchildren. Likewise, Casaleggio said Cortez's busy work schedule never kept him from family time, whether it was attending PTA meetings or hanging Christmas lights to decorate their home.

Former Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie was Cortez's close friend for 45 years. He shared some tales involving their shared love of golf and wine, and joked that Cortez only smoked "O.P." cigars -- or "other people's cigars, because Manny never bought his own."

Lurie praised his longtime friend for supporting Cortez Elementary School, and pledged that those who knew Cortez would continue to help the school's teachers and pupils.

"Manny worked tirelessly to make our community a place where kids know they are cared for," Lurie said. "He will not be forgotten at that school."

Before he retired from public service in July 2004, Cortez was a four-term Clark County commissioner. He also served on the governing boards of University Medical Center, the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Metropolitan Police Department's fiscal affairs board.

But Cortez's legacy is forever linked to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, where he was president and chief executive officer from 1991 through mid-2004. Prior to that, he spent nearly eight years on the room tax-funded agency's board of directors.

Under Cortez's leadership, Las Vegas nearly doubled its annual visitor base and evolved into one of the world's best-known tourism and trade show destinations.

Those mourning Thursday demonstrated the diverse realms in which Cortez spent his career.

In addition to Lurie, political figures in attendance included Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and his city hall predecessor, Jan Jones.

Gov. Kenny Guinn was there, as were gubernatorial hopeful and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, former Gov. Bob Miller, and numerous other elected leaders and power brokers, including R&R Partners boss Billy Vassiliadis.

The local entertainment industry was represented by Wayne Newton, several casino executives and two Elvis Presley impersonators frequently hired by the convention authority. The latter pair tastefully left their King costumes at home.

Dozens of current and former convention authority workers also attended, led by Cortez's successor and longtime colleague, Rossi Ralenkotter.

Masto urged those who knew his father-in-law to call Cortez's cell phone this week to hear his voice a final time.

"The last words you'll hear (on the phone's recorded message) are, 'Keep the faith,' " Masto said.