On Monday afternoon, October 20, the Essex, Maryland area was shaken by tragedy when 23-year-old Andrik Cortes Morfin lost his life in a motorcycle collision. What began as a routine ride ended in heartbreak: around 4:30 p.m., Morfin’s 2025 Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a 2025 Chevy Trax as it was exiting a parking lot near the junction of Pulaski Highway and Stevens Road. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Born on February 11, 2002, in Mexico, Andrik was the son of Angel Cortes and Susana Morfin — and the cherished brother to Mackenna and Derek Cortes Morfin. He also leaves behind his grandparents, Linda Martinez and Efrain Cortes, plus a large network of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends whose hearts are now heavy with loss.
In the days that followed, tributes poured in from everyone who knew him. Friends remember him as adventurous, kind, full of life — someone whose smile could light a room. As one close companion put it, “Though his life was short, his memory will live on in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.” That sentiment echoed across social media, in cards, and in whispered conversations in Essex neighborhoods.
To help ease his family’s burdens during this painful time, longtime friend Sara Cosby organized a GoFundMe campaign. It surpassed $10,000 quickly, aiming to support funeral costs and other associated expenses. “The family is heartbroken over this tragic loss,” shared Carol Pappas in the campaign’s description, urging compassion and generosity from those who could help.
Services have been arranged as the community prepares to say goodbye. A viewing will be held on Monday, October 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home of Essex (300 Mace Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21221). The following day, Tuesday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m., a Funeral Mass will take place at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church (1704 Old Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21221). After that, a private interment will be held for the family.
In these difficult hours, those closest to Andrik carry both grief and gratitude — sorrow for what’s lost, and gratitude for every laugh, every shared moment, every small kindness he offered in his short life. A life that might have ended too soon, but one that communities near and far will remember, cherish, and honor for years to come.