Joe Flores Ortega

Joe Flores Ortega, 74, of Saugus, CA, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born on July 13 , 1951, in Mexico City, and moved to Southern California at a very young age, eventually residing in the Newhall and Saugus areas.

He attended Hart High School and immediately entered the workforce, enjoying a long career as a machinist and commercial building maintenance technician. In 1977, Joe became a single dad, doing his best to care for his infant son Tony while working rotating shifts at Thatcher Glass. In 1980, Joe married Charlotte Di Tommaso, and they added two more sons, Dave and Rick, to the family.

Over the years, Joe worked in several different industries, always working hard to provide for his family. When he wasn't at work, he enjoyed taking his family on camping trips and supporting his sons' many sports activities, as well as their other interests. He also enjoyed road cycling and fixing/building bikes as a hobby.

Joe retired in 2017 after 21 years working at William S. Hart Union High School District.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Erasmo Ortega and Rosa Flores, and his sister Martha Zamora. He is survived by his wife Charlotte Ortega, his sister Mary Velazquez (Hector) of Texas: his sons Anthony Ortega (Wendy) of Efrat, Israel, David Ortega of Meridian, Idaho, and Rick Ortega of Oceanside, California; and Joe's nine grandchildren.

Private funeral services were held in his honor.