Louis Ortiz

When i was a senior in HS I had to do a project on someone I knew. I picked my grandfather. I remember how I held his hand as he told me the story of his childhood.  I loved my grandfather's hands.  The way he'd help me count his whiskey collection by pointing at each bottle with me. He used his hands to hold mine when he greeted me with his "oh, hello there darling". The way he turned off the ceiling fan when my cousins and I slept over so we didn't run up the electricity bill. The "pow pow" warning he gave with his hands when Moonie turned the fan right back on. I loved the way he swung his fist enthusiastically in the air when he tasted a good cheesecake. And with that same fist swing he'd tell me "keep the faith baby".  I loved the way my grandfather used his hands to give directions. He pointed left or right and counted exactly how many steps it took to get from the train station to a destination.  I love the way Grandpa's hands led me in a salsa dance. He was my favorite dance partner. His hands spun me, twirled me, guided me and protected me if I'd stumble.  Im going miss the way he tried to scare his great grandchildren by putting his thumb to his nose and with his fingers spread he'd say "nah nah nah nah nah".  I'm going to miss the way my daughter, instead of being afraid, would taunt him right back before laughing and giving him a sweet kiss.  I'm so happy I got to witness his undying love for my grandmother when I saw him present his wife with a hand of pride. And when he took her hand in his, brought it to his lips and embedded a sweet kiss on it.  I loved the way my grandfathers hands felt in mine because his hands are identical to my fathers.  I will mostly miss my grandfather's gentle hands because they left fingerprints of love in my heart as well as impressions in the hearts of my family. I find comfort in knowing that now you're holding Jesus' hand in a place where there is no longer any confusion, suffering or pain. Jesus holding your hand means you do not have to war with your thoughts anymore.  Although my grandfather is gone physically, his handprints remain a permanent indent in our lives forever. 

My dad was my hero he meant the world to me. He was a man of few words but when he spoke he meant what he said. Especially when he said no he use to spell it out to us” NO” spells no (lol). And when the kitchen was closed it was closed. He use to say take inventory of your life and never rely on anything that is not in your hands. He loved music and dancing and was good at it and he knew it. I love you daddy you will be 4ever in my heart. You and mom did a great job with us. You leave behind a beautiful legacy. I know we will shed many tears as a family but we will continue to make you proud. Thank you for all your love, support, guidance, understanding and most important for always being there for all of us no matter what. Thank you even when you said no it all came down to the lesson and we indeed did learn. We are all better people today because you were in our lives. Thanks for not leaving footprints but in stead leaving a trail. I promise that we will continue to walk that trail and as a family make you proud. All that you taught us will not be in vain. FOREVER your daughter I love you daddy.

I met dad on several occasions and he always went out of his way to make me feel as if I was part of the family. He would great me with love and I will never forget that. Especially when He asked me at one of the family events if I wanted to put my coat in the ghetto. I never laughed so hard. He was such a great man. Now he is walking with Our lord and having a blessed time. Until we meet again. I send my condolences to the family and will continue to pray for you all. God bless.

My father-in-law was one of a kind person. He loved his grandkids. Pops would love to ask all the time of Twinzee 1 or Twinzee 2 of the twins. He did not rememeber their names but he always wanted to see them. The girls would whisper in grandmas ear for Oreos and juice and Pops would say, "Twinzees in the kitchen and you eat all of it." Lu was the interpreter for Ma and Pops wrestling. One thing I appreciated from him was his advice and his happy go lucky self. Pops I speak for your son Anthony and the grandkids that we miss you already. Our hearts hurt but we know that you do not have to suffer anymore. We love you, Julie & Anthony.

Pop was a loving and caring man. I was glad to have the opportunity to have met him and be in his family. When I think of pop all that comes to mind is the silly faces that he mad towards Aiyana while sticking his tongue out. Aiyana was his first great-grandchild and all though we live far Aiyana has been able to have so many memoirs with him. Aiyana loves you so much and wished everyday that you would get better. She surprised when she came home from school and gave me a card for you. I wish she could have given it to you. Aiyana wishes you were but she understands that you're with god now. As for Azelia she may not remember cause she is so little but she will know that the man in her pictures giving her hugs and kisses is her great-grandpa. I also know we're Azelia gets her strength from and it's from you. You were a fighter till the end. This is hard for me to right cause I miss you already and your silly faces. But I know that you are in a better place and you no longer have to suffer. I miss you and so do the girls. You always be in our hearts and you will never be forgotten. 

I met Pops before I even had hair on my face, his son AJ became my friend when I was 16 years old and is now my little brother. I remember going to his home on Tryon Ave to pick up Anthony and he would always answer the door with a stern look on his face and tell me "upstairs". I became a fixture in that home and later became a part of the family. Pops was a family man, and was always there to provide for his family, friends, and people in general. He loved his music, family and remote control. ( do not mess with the remote control... lol).. I will miss him as a person who I considered a father, as I will pray for his wife Aida, who I consider and love as my mother. Rest in Peace Pops. Thank you for the kindest you always showed me and my family, and like moms said "dont be afraid". For you are in a place now where there is no suffering, no problems, no worries... Only peace.. Love you pops.. see you when we get there.. Love you always, Jose, Carmen,Richard, Joshua, and Mia Marie...

When we first met Pops it was fourteen years ago at our dear friends Yvette and Papo's house for a special occasion. From the moment we meet him we felt the warm, happy, and special personality that showed in his smile. He was a loving person that was very much loved by friends and family. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to have meet Pops and he will be forever in our hearts. We are praying that God will provide the family with comfort and strength. Love always Lazaro, Ibeth, Gus and Tito.

I remember Louie, as a one kind Louie. I remember him always speaking what was on his mind and more. I remember he always loved his music, dance, family, and his grandkids even though; he drove them crazy sometimes with his rules.  I send my condolences to the family and will keep you in my prayers as I know; these are though times for you, he is no longer suffering and at peace.

Loui siempre lo voy a tener en mi memoria,y siempre va ocupar un lugar especial en mi corazon.y siempre voy a recordar cuando me decia mi pollito,y cuando me decia todavia tengo un hoyito en el estomago que esta vacio.a y cuando miravamos la lucha,y the golden girls.descance en paz.

You didn't die just recently, You died some time ago. Although your body stayed a while, And didn't really know. For you had got Altzheimer's, You failed to comprehend. Your body went on living. But your mind had reached its end. So we've already said, "Goodbye", To the person that we knew. The person that we trully loved, The person that was, "You". And so we meet again today, To toast your bodies end. For it was true and faithful, Until right at the end. And so, when we remember, We'll think of all the rest. We'll concentrate on earlier, And remember all the best. For in the real scheme of things, Your illness wasn't long. Compared to all the happiness, You brought your whole life long. We think of you as yesterday, When you were fit and well. And when we're asked about you, It's those things that we'll tell. And so we meet in 'membrance, Of a mind so fit and true. We're here to pay our last respects To say that, "We love you". As I looked upon your face I saw the wonder of God’s grace Once again, whole at last No more suffering, your life raced past Then all was quiet and completely still Peace at last, no longer ill I remembered the memories that we shared Our deep and meaningfuls conversations, and just how much you cared I used to visit, though hard it was I watched you slip away, my Pops almost lost Watching glints of recognition in your eyes Crying with joy when it took me by surprise You didn’t deserve that cruel disease It brought us completely to our knees The years were robbed, it wasn’t right Up to the end, I watched you fight Pop, I smile when I think of you You’ve made mistakes, but we all do too Pop, it doesn’t matter about the past I’m just so happy that you are free at last

My grand father has taught me so much! He is the one that showed me the ropes on a lot of things in my life. He is the one who told me if its something you want you work hard for it and when you get it your treasure it. He gave me things in my life that I will never forget, and I hope I can life up to what he has provided for his family. I hope I can instill in my family. I hope that my grandfather is looking down and smiling down on us. We will never forget you and will always celebrate your life when the time goes on. Love you Grandpa! miss you and please watch over us in our lives!

My dearest Pop, what can I say that I have not said already. We will all miss you dearly. You passed away right in front of my eyes and its a sight that I will never forget. I am at peace knowing that you are not suffering anymore from that dreaded disease. You dont have to worry about mom because we will all look out for her as you told me many times. I really hope that you are at peace and are not suffering any more, I could not stand seeing you suffer it broke my heart to the very end. Even though your body passed away on the 12th of January I know that you have been gone for a while. You taught me alot of things about life and being a good person. I hope you understood me and my crazy ways. I leave you with these words Pops you'll be missed and I will always keep the faith and I will always count what is in my pocket and not flying in the air. Love always your Son Puti

POPS ITS BEEN A LITTLE MORE THEN TWO MONTHS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GONE pEOPLE SAY TIME WILL HEAL ALL WOUNDS I THINK THAT NOT TRUE.WE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MOM SHE STRONG SHE WILL BE FINE.POP JUST MISS YOU ALOT HOPEFULLY NO MORE PAIN lOVE YOU AND MISS YOU ANTHONY