By: Pauline Rivera
He was a man of humor, a man dedicated to his community, trustworthy and always wanting to do the right thing. John Ortiz, community leader, dad, brother, grandpa, friend, an honest man. Ortiz was born in Trinidad, CO on November 7, 1938. He attended Trinidad schools as a star athlete and ran with the neighborhood crowd.
I knew someday I would have to put pen to paper so I took notes along the way since my friendship with John Ortiz developed. He was an quirky, interesting, comical, fun, honest man. ‘A, que John.’
Ortiz died last Monday, leaving a son Lenny, two daughters, Erin and Cheray and 6 grandchildren. As I write his tribute, I recall several phone calls, lunches where conversations taught me about the honest, funny, heart of gold man, Ortiz was. He never settled for a half truth or even alternative facts. He told the truth, whether you wanted to hear it or not.
Ortiz had a long-standing career with Coors Brewing Company for 40 years. He initially worked as facilities manager, but eventually working his way up the ranks and was responsible for public relations, and became the voice of the Hispanic community. During his time at Coors, Ortiz was instrumental in getting Coors to provide financial support for many, many Hispanic efforts, like the American GI Forum, Mile High Chapter, the Bernie Valdez Hispanic Heritage Center, scholarships for youth and so many more
community efforts.
He was a proud veteran, serving in the Colorado National Guard. Ortiz was a member of the American G.I Forum for over 40 years until 2020.
Ortiz became the defender of the Hispanic community on many levels and when his working days turned into retirement in 2008, he continued his individual work for the good of the community. He spend his retirement days, consulting for Coors, volunteering at a Food Bank and sharing lunches with friends. He shared time with family every week.
On Women: Ortiz had a unique sense of humor and family values that reminded me of growing up in a small town in northern New Mexico. We shared conversations on many topics including women. He admired women, he told me, much more than men. He remembered his hard working sisters and his mother who prepared all meals before, during and after school, yet responsible for their schoolwork. He
remembers sharing wood chopping duties with his brother, then running off into the Trinidad mountains to smoke cigarettes and look at “dirty” magazines. He recalled how hard his sisters and mother worked hard all their lives. He admired women for their hard work and perseverance in a
man’s world.
On Politics: All in all politicians have a sincere initial interest in their fellowman, but overall their decisions are self-promoting.
On COVID-19 – Every hundred years or so, the earth/ nature must purge a part of its population, either via war or disease. It happens and will keep happening.
On family – “I love my family. I love my grandkids, but sometimes my grandkids I’m sure wonder about some of the things that come out of my mouth.”
On food – I love a fresh pot of pinto beans, red chile, or a freshly roasted jalapeno. I meet my son Lenny for a bowl of menudo every week.
On romance – In the end all you have is good memories. No one wants to hold my wrinkled hand.
On friends – When you’re young and useful, have a career, everyone loves you. They need you. You become old and your friends and invitations start to dwindle. I have come to realize my true friends and will forever treasure them. All others, you lose.
End of life: I just want to be cremated, no services, no reception. I want to be buried next to an old oak tree. I hope they remember me and say, ‘A, que John.’
Forever my friend, I will miss your uniqueness.
