Frank Ortega, Jr. 69, died Saturday December 1 after a brave battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Marianne (MacCormick) Ortega.
Born and raised in Kansas he was the son of the late Frank and Carmen (Gallardo) Ortega and remained a lifelong fan of the Kansas Jay Hawks basketball team.
He was a proud veteran of the US Navy having served from 1960-1964, during the period of the infamous “Cuban Missile Crisis” and was a member of the American Legion of Whitman.
He was a graduate of Newbury Community College and for over thirty years he had worked as an electrical operator for the Boston Edison Company.
As a longtime and active resident of the Whitman community Frank gave generously of his time to several youth organizations. He had served as a coach for CYO basketball and for over 20 years he had coached both youth basketball and baseball for the “Whitman Town Teams”. In 1992 Frank received an award from Whitman-Hanson honoring his work in “inspiring” local youth. He also enjoyed donating his time and dressing as “Santa” during the holiday season.
He was a longtime and loyal communicant of the Holy Ghost Church.
He along with his wife Marianne had enjoyed their travels north to Maine and New Hampshire.
In addition to his loving wife Marianne he is survived by his children Ernest Ortega and his wife Maureen of Abington, Dennis Ortega and his wife Christine of East Bridgewater, Jarrod Ortega and his wife Thea of Middleboro and Nicole Coite and her husband Dennis of Wilbraham, his brother Antonio Ortega of TX, and his sisters Maria Ortega of CA, Estella Darnell and Guadalupe Hinchman both of KS. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Frank J. Ortega and was predeceased by six siblings.
His services will be held Thursday December 6 at 8:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St. (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 9 AM in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will follow in the St. James Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday December 5 from 3-7 PM.
Donations in his name may be made to Cleveland Brain Tumor Fund, C/O Tufts Medical Center Developmental Office, 800 Washington Street # 231, Boston, MA 02111