Danny Ortiz

He worked as a masonry worker for about 67 years providing for his family.

He married Lupe Cardoza at 21 years old in 1953. They spent 47 beautiful years together before her passing in 2000. Together they had 8 children: Junior, Priscilla, David, Ronnie, Rudy, Laura, Peter and Marina. From those children came 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

He raised his children with love and a strong sense of hard work. He coached them in their sports activities and if he couldn’t be there to coached, he was certainly there to supporting them. He instilled a strong sense of family values and love from an early age that will impact many future generations.

He was the best grandfather anyone could ever ask for. Grandpa never missed any of our games, graduations, baptisms, baby showers, birthdays, or parties. He always made sure to be there to celebrate us. We often joked that he had more of a social life than any of us. At a party we’d look around and ask “Where did Grandpa go?!” but he had already snuck out to attend a dance that night at Las Palmas Recreation Center. He loved any sport, but like a true Angeleno he was particularly fond of drinking a Budweiser and watching a Dodger game. He was very involved with Sylmar Independent Baseball League for over 30 years. Almost every single one of his grandchildren can remember him walking around the fields of SIBL cheering them on. He loved to gamble and nothing could stop him from taking a quick trip to Vegas to play the craps tables or slot machines. In his last year of life, he went to Vegas 8 times! His children and grandchildren will cherish those last trips taken with him for the rest of our lives.

He was always patient, kind and gracious, he preached forgiveness, and was never quick to anger. He always put his family above all. Each one of kids and grandkids would tell you that they were his favorite because that is how he made us feel. We all truly feel blessed that God gave our family more time to show him how much he is loved before he passed. His legacy will live on forever in all of us. We will miss him every day of our lives.