Román Manuel Ortiz

On Friday, August 5, 2022, Román Manuel Ortiz, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Godfather, Friend, and God's Servant passed away suddenly at the age of 78.

Román was born December 2, 1943 in San Salvador, El Salvador to Román Ortiz Lopez and Maria Narcisa Ortiz Contreras, where he grew up in the Colonia Diez de Septiembre neighborhood with his sister Leticia, brothers Jorge and Juan Carlos, and developed life-long friendships. At an early age, he began working to help support his family. He became a Boy Scout and took trips to enjoy the natural beauty of El Salvador. He attended trade schools where he obtained credentials in automobile mechanics and bookkeeping, which served him well in future employment as a mechanic, construction worker, warehouse supervisor and handy man. During his last year of bookkeeping courses, he met his future wife Maria Concepcion Escalante (Conchita) and in 1968 immigrated to Los Angeles, California to provide a better future for his family. On August 9, 1969 he married Conchita, his partner of 53 years. In 1972, Román and Conchita purchased their first home in Bell, California, where they raised three daughters, Marielos, Yvetteh, and Osiris amongst a close-knit family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. In 2006, Román and Conchita moved to Watsonville, California to be closer to their family where the couple became devoted parishioners of Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church and quickly forged close friendships.

Román had a passion for gardening, photography, the outdoors and collecting unique and memorable trinkets, evidence of which can be seen all around his home. His devotion to God was deep and relationships with family and community strong, something he always demonstrated through action, his constant kindness, acceptance, and love to everyone. He was highly active in his community at Holy Eucharist, attending various church functions including fund raisers and prayer groups. He had a distinct way of connecting with people and was always at the ready to lend a helping hand with whatever was needed from offering a place to stay, to repairing equipment and vehicles, to beautifying someone's garden. He had a way of making everyone feel heard and important. "Románcito," "Ro," "Seco" was cherished by his loving family, friends, and church community.

Román is survived by his wife, Conchita, his son Jorge Antonio and daughter-in-law Marisol, his daughter Marielos and son-in-law Alfonso, his daughter Yvetteh and son-in-law Peter, youngest daughter Osiris, his four loving grandchildren: Aliyah, Jordan, Tatiana, and Joaquin; his three siblings, and many nieces and nephews.

A vigil and rosary reading will be held at Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church, 527 Corralitos Rd Corralitos CA, 95076, on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 5:30 pm, followed by a funeral mass on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 11:00 am. Gravesite service will immediately follow at Valley Public Cemetery at 2445 E Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076. Upon the request of the family, those attending the services are asked to wear white attire.

Flowers may be sent to Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church or, in lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church.

Published in The Pajaronian · August 18, 2022