Felipe B. Ortiz Sr. – Horsepower & Heels

In loving memory of my dad
Felipe Benicio Ortiz, Sr.
August 23, 1930 – January 3, 2007

After a 2 year fight with Lymphoma, God has called my Papi home. Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel at his departure from this world, despite knowing that he is in a much better place. We all were at his side, as he would have had it no other way, and with this final prayer read to him by my sister Melanie, he took his final sigh….

“And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord, for thee, Power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command, we shall flow

a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine patris, et filii, et spiritus sanctus. Amen.”

My sister, Brenda, wrote this poem to Papi:

To Call You Father

When we were small, you were our protector and provider.

You gave of yourself day-in and day-out.

More than just food, clothing and shelter… no matter what,

we always knew we were loved.

When we needed it, you corrected us with “the Look”, and

comforted us with a word and a smile.

As we grew, you became our teacher and our advisor.

You made a wonderful role model, and a man to admire.

You have a quiet strength and courage, selfless sacrifice, and

endless generosity…. all things we cherish.

You’ve blessed us with so many wonderful memories.

Without a word, you gave us the priceless lesson that

there is dignity in working hard for your family, that

there is honor in doing the right thing – not the easy thing,

and that there is self-respect in doing everything well.

We are so proud to call you Father. We have been blessed

by you, and thank God that He gave us to you.

Thank you so much Dad,

WE LOVE YOU.

Papi…. I hope I always make you proud.

Love Always,

Erica

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