Milton A Ortiz

Milton Anthony Ortiz, 79, of Largo, Florida and Long Beach Island (LBI), New Jersey, passed away Friday, February 17, 2012 following a lengthy illness. Mr. Ortiz was a longtime resident of Succasunna, Roxbury Township, N.J. Prior to moving to Largo, he resided in Hackettstown, N.J. Mr. Ortiz had a distinguished 40 career as an educator serving as vice principal of Randolph High School and principal of Randolph Middle School in N.J. He was a founding member of NJAMLE (N.J. Association of Middle Level Education). He graduated from Montclair State University and earned a masters' degree (plus30) from Seton Hall University, both in N.J. Mr. Ortiz served three terms on the Roxbury Board of Health and as its president three years. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Ortiz was predeceased by his parents Catalino and Julia Ortiz, brother Robert and sister Mary. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Dolores Cardell Ortiz and his children: Richard Ortiz and wife Elizabeth Dunn, Kimberly Cole and husband Doug, Tracey Kennedy and husband Patrick, and Robert Ortiz and wife Leigh Anne Timek. Mr. Ortiz leaves nine grandchildren: Matthew, Brian and Kevin Hynson; Julian Ortiz; Rory and Robert Kennedy; and Cameron, Emma and Celia Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz was an avid supporter of Largo Cultural Center, Largo Botanical Gardens and Pinellas County Parks. All his life he loved LBI at the Jersey shore spending many happy days there with family and friends. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 3 at St. Mark's Church, 59 Spring Lane, Long Valley, N.J. Repast will follow immediately in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Suncoast Performing Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 1030, Largo, FL 33779 and Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33779.