Following a long illness, Victor M. Ortiz passed peacefully at his home on December 26, 2022 in the company of his wife JoAnn of 43 years and his faithful pup Reina.
Ortiz was born in East Chicago, Indiana in 1948, a son of the late Maria and Manuel Ortiz and brother of the late Sonia. He grew up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, where he graduated from Santo Tomas High School in 1967.Soon after, Victor enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam, followed by duty in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as an assignment on the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor. Ortiz left the Navy in 1971 to attend Stonehill College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in Counseling from Boston College.
Ortiz used his education to begin a counseling career in the Brockton Public Schools in 1976, retiring in 2007. Over that entire time, Ortiz was involved with the High School’s Boys Basketball program, becoming the head coach in 1983 until his retirement. He won the state title in 1985 and was among the winningest coaches in the state’s history. He was honored by induction into the Brockton High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. His years of advocacy and counseling, particularly for students with English as a second language, combined with his devotion to the basketball program, made Ortiz a virtual institution in his community. Coach Ortiz also established summer coaching clinics for national teams in Colombia, Bolivia, and Guyana.
Ortiz and his wife of 43 years, JoAnn Gondell Ortiz of Hazleton, PA, have resided in Brockton their entire married life. They traveled a good deal, with Spain as Victor’s favorite destination. He enjoyed cooking and loved all sports, particularly basketball and his beloved Red Sox.
In addition to his wife JoAnn, he leaves behind his brother and best friend Manny Ortiz and his wife Julie, of Guaynabo, PR. He also leaves behind in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Visiting hours for much loved Coach Ortiz will be held on the basketball court dedicated in his name at the Brockton High School gymnasium from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Please enter the high school campus from the Forest Ave. entrance.
His funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 433 West St., Brockton on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 10:30am.
Donations to the following organizations that were close to Coach Ortiz’s heart will be welcomed: Brockton Sports Foundation, c/o Kevin Karo, Athletic Director, Brockton High School, 470 Forest Ave., Brockton MA 02301.
American Liver Foundation www.liverfoundation.org or American Kidney Fund www.kidneyfund.org.