Carlos was born on May 13, 1939 in Juana Diaz Puerto Rico, to parents Rafael Gabriel Ortiz and Maria Hurtado. He emigrated from Puerto Rico in 1956 at the age of 17, and a few years later established his home in Philadelphia. He worked at the Good ‘N’ Plenty Candy Factory, where he remained for 30 years before retiring.
In his early years in Puerto Rico, Carlos enjoyed playing baseball. His passion for the sport carried into his later years as he became an avid fan, rooting for his beloved Philadelphia Phillies. While baseball was his first passion, boxing was a close second, and he made every effort to never miss a fight. When he was younger, he loved playing dominos at a competitive level, where he won multiple championships. He enjoyed betting on horses at the race track, gambling at casinos, and trying to hit it big playing the lottery.
Carlos was preceded in death by his father Gabriel Ortiz Munoz, his mother Maria Hurtado, his brothers, Rafael Ortiz, Julio Rodriguez and Luis Rodriguez.
Carlos is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carmen Lydia Rodriguez, his son Charles Rafael Ortiz; his daughters Damaris Santiago, Cruz Maria Ortiz-Pr’out, Betzaida Ortiz-Cann, and Cecilia Ivelis Ortiz; his grandchildren Charles Cedric Ortiz, Cheyenne Rafael Pr’out, Nina Ortiz, and Savannah Jane Cann; his sons in-law Quanah Pr’out, Matt Cann, his daughter in-law Patricia Ortiz and future son in-law Nigel Davis along with his brothers Gabriel Ortiz, Domingo Ortiz and his sister Maria Christina Ortiz.
A viewing/visitation is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2021 at Lamb Funeral Home Inc., 101 Byberry Rd. Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania 19006, followed by a mass service at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 1019 N 5th St. Philadelphia, PA 19123, and interment at Rolling Green Memorial Park.
Due to current limitations on group size caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, only immediate family will be attending the viewing, and all health and safety regulations will be enforced. We invite friends and extended family to attend the mass service at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church.
