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LEO E. Beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 21, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Ortiz; sons, Patrick Ortiz and wife Jill of Coto De Caza, CA, Kirby Ortiz and wife Sara of Boise, ID, Michael Ortiz and wife Diana of San Clemente, CA; daughter, LeeAnn Ortiz of Albuquerque, NM; daughter-in-law, Sandra Ortiz; sister, Rosalie Walsh of Cleveland, OH; brother, Jimmy Ortiz of Charleston, SC; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leopold and Louisa Ortiz; sister, Ida Ortiz; son, Larry Ortiz. He was born in Raton, NM, in 1928, he experienced the depression like everyone else in that generation and came away stronger for it. When he turned 14 he attempted to enlist in the Navy but the recruiter sent him home. He had more success in 1943 when World War II was in full force and the military needed young men regardless of their age. He sailed into the Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Belleau Wood (CVL24) and for the next three years was a participant in major sea battles of the Asian Pacific war, Kwajalein, Truk, Saipan, Guam, Battle of the Philippine Sea (where planes from the Belleau Wood sank the Japanese carrier Haijo), Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was the recipient of 12 battle stars. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Lorraine Potter and had 4 sons, Patrick, Kirby, Larry and Mike, and one daughter, LeeAnn. In the summer of 1951 and 1952 his search for work took him to Thule, Greenland where he worked on "Project Bluejay" building a military base. On his return the family moved to the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio. Leo was a member of Plumbers Local #55 of Cleveland, OH for 60 years. In 1979 they moved to NM where he retired. Leo was a quiet, un-assuming man. His legacy to his children is his work ethic which continues as an inspiration to all of us. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm, Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Road Chapel, 4310 Sara Road SE and Meadowlark Lane, Rio Rancho, NM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, July 29, 2011 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1502 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. Inurnment with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, July 30, 2011 at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. To view funeral information or leave condolences please visit website www.danielsfuneral.com. Mr. Ortiz's care entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services Sara Chapel 4310 Sara Rd. SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920
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