Osvaldo F. Morgan

Osvaldo was born in the province of Chaco, Argentina, on April 30, 1955. He was the third child of Jorge and Nancy Martinez. The Martinez family immigrated to the United States in 1963 and 1964. Osvaldo’s father, Jorge, came first and was followed a few months later by Osvaldo and his mom (Jorge Luis and Ana Maria arrived in 1964, and Billy was born in Pasadena in 1966).

Osvaldo was eight-years-old when he arrived in California, just a few weeks before John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. This event had a deep impression on him. His schoolmates would tease him because his name was the same as that of the person who killed the president—and being in a country where they killed presidents worried him—so this is when Osvaldo became Ozzie.

Ozzie was always outgoing and friendly, and in spite of the name setback, he took to this new country with all the enthusiasm that a happy-go-lucky eight-year-old can have while trying to adapt to a different culture and language. But, by the time his brother and sister arrived a year later, Ozzie was speaking English like a native, collecting baseball cards, going swimming everyday at the public pool, and even running errands with his parents in his capacity as translator.

The family transitioned from Hollywood, the arrival point of just about all Argentine immigrants, and eventually settled in beautiful Pasadena. Ozzie attended McKinley Junior High School and Blair High School.

Ozzie lived life to the fullest and inspired so many with his charm and affability. He was kind and willing to help out when the chips were down. This was evident when Oz let his little brother drive his Trans Am to the Sadie Hawkins dance. He didn’t want him to go with his date without a proper ride. He was selfless and always there for a brother in need.

In 1990 his daughter Guinevere was born. Guin was the source of all joy for Oz. He never tired of talking about things she’d say and do. He loved his daughter more than anyone else in the world. She was and still is the apple of his eyes. Prior to his death, she was the only person with whom he was able to speak while in the hospital.

In 1994 Oz moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ, where he lived until 2011, at which time he returned to California to live with his parents and help take care of his dad. Oz cultivated many friendships in Lake Havasu, and some of these friends are the ones who helped him carve out a spiritual path from which he never wavered and which sustained him during his short but fierce battle with cancer. He fought the good fight and during his last days on this earth he was at peace with himself and ready for the journey home.

He cared for his family. He cared for their well being. He cared for all creatures. He was a big guy with a big heart.

Oz will be remembered for his biting sense of humor and his uncanny ability to imitate people. Those of you who witnessed Billy and Oz do the Hans and Franz SNL routine will attest to this. All of us who had a chance to be around Oz would agree that his ability to light up a room was unmatched. He was an inspiration to people with his radiance and positivity. Above all, he was a mentor to many.

He will also be remembered for his loyalty to his family, for his devotion to his daughter and to his parents, and for his love of Momma the cat. He was a good father, a good son, brother and friend, and he will live in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his daughter Guinevere Davis of Scottsdale, AZ; his mother Nancy Martinez of Riverside, CA; his brothers George and William Martinez of Davenport, CA; his sister Ana Craven of Pasadena, CA; nieces Morgan and Stephanie; nephews Scott, Forest and Anthony; and aunts and uncles and cousins both in the U.S. and abroad.

___________

I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end, requesting only the advantage authors have, of correcting in a second edition the faults of the first.

˜˜˜Benjamin Franklin

Memorial Service on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 1:00 pm in Montecito Mortuary ~ Valley View Chapel.