Joe Ortega's Obituary
Joe Ortega 60 passed away March 14, 2010. Loving father of Jose (Pamela). Dear brother of Robert, Rosina Vice, Lee, Rick and Dennis Serb. Jose Ortega the III, commonly known as Joe Ortega, was a son, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a friend and a father. He was very proud of his family and his very humble background. Raised in poverty, as a child, the kids in school nicknamed him Joe, the tack-man, because his father use to put tacks in his shoes since they could not afford new ones; in fact, all of his shoes came from the Salvation Army. This nickname, however, did not last because it did not take Joe long to whip their butts, thus beginning the trend of Joe Ortega's life. He was a wrestling champion at Richmond High School, in Richmond California, at the weight of 133 pounds. Even at his small stature he was an all league, middle line-backer alongside The Detroit Lions, Charley Weaver, on the 1967 Richmond High championship football team.At 18 years old he married the prettiest girl in the area and was expecting a child. So he joined the United States Marine Corps. He went to Vietnam and as a recon special forces marine, was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal W/device, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal w/1*, Rvn Cross of Gallantry W/palm. At 20 years old Joe returned and often worked 3 jobs to support his family. At 23, he began work at UPS as a loader; he then continued on to become a teamster truck driver and eventually an accomplished executive. To his credit he was responsible for opening up offices in Puerto Rico as well as Europe. During this time, he coined the statement "It's great to be alive, live in America, work for UPS and own stock." He retired from UPS at 47 years old and settled residency in Strongsville. In Strongsville, Joe then opened up The Absolute Group, a national printing distribution business. He became an activist in local politics and ran for Congress as a republican in 2002 and 2004. He was a member of the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce as well as 14 other chambers. His causes included organizations such as: The Special Olympics, Veterans of Foreign War, and The USO, Help the Children, Battered Women, Moms of Ohio, The American Jewish Committee and The United Way, along with numerous others. Joe Ortega never met a person he was afraid of or that he wouldn't talk to, and if you treated him fairly he would treat you the same. Most importantly, his word was his bond. VISITATION FRIDAY 4-7pm JARDINE FUNERAL HOME 15822 PEARL RD. STRONGSVILLE. Memorial Service to follow at 7pm. Private interment. Family requests donations to Southwest Hospice Fund 18697 Bagley Rd. Middleburg Hts. 44130. www.jardinefh.com.
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