He was born to Porfiria Mathews and Miguel Pablo Orta on January 11, 1938 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
His survivors include his two daughters Jeannette Mathews of Brooklyn, NY and Kim Mathews-Franco of North Providence, RI; his grandchildren Anthony Noel Capella, Justin Wilfredo Salas, Justice Ryan Salas, Marlene Amber Salas,Timothy Russell Salas; his great-grandchildren Elena Faith Capella, Kayson Salas, Bishop Salas and his sister Elba Baez and his nieces Margie Jimenez and Lucy Jimenez.
His mother was his world and Blanca Iris Rivera was the love of his life. He migrated to the US with his parents at a young age and enlisted in the Army. He boxed in the service and proudly served in the Vietnam War. Of all the countries he visited, he most loved Germany and was proud he could speak the language. He proudly worked as a Plumber in Brooklyn, NY for over 30 years and was known to all family and friends for being a jokester and a straight shooter. He was always ready with a comeback. He loved his morning walks and his eye-opener (coffee) with a ham and cheese sandwich from the corner bodega in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Most did not know that he was a lead singer in a band called, “El Combo Guarani” which performed old-style Merengue, Salsa and Bolero in the local Social Clubs of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Till his dying day he dreamed of going back to his homeland Puerto Rico. He longed for the sun's rays, the sandy beaches, the sounds of Caribbean music and most of all the smell and taste of its native foods.
He will forever be remembered and loved by all.
Poem:
God saw you were getting tired,
And a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you
And whispered, “Come to Me”
With tearful eyes we watched you,
And saw you pass away,
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best.
~ Author Unknown
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