Rafael "Ralph" Ortiz

Rafael “Ralph” Ortiz, 92, of Zephyrhills, FL passed away March 8, 2017 AT THE Gulfside Hospice center, in Zephyrhills, FL. He was born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico where he was raised and lived until he moved to Paterson, NJ in 1954. In Paterson, NJ he worked 24 years for Winer’s Industries and was a truck driver between Paterson and the New York Garment Center. He then moved to Spring Hill, FL and lived there between 1987 and 2012 until moving to Zephyrhills. He worked 20 + years at Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, FL in Environmental Services. He loved baseball and was the manager of a team in Paterson, NJ for over 15 years. He was Roman Catholic in faith. Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Julia Ortiz. He is survived by brother, Audaz Ortiz (Ester Luz) of Inverness, FL; brother, Julio Ortiz (Gloria); sister, Paula Ortiz-Maldonado (Johnny) of Puerto Rico; son, Rafael Ortiz Jr. (Maribel) of Venice, FL; son, Carlos Ortiz (Elizabeth) of North Port, FL; daughter, Sonia M. Rivera (Samuel) of Zephyrhills, FL; son, Luis Ortiz of Spring Hill, FL; son, Jose Ortiz (Nilsa) of Land O Lakes, FL; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Visitation to be held Sunday, March 19, 2017 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at Turner Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 21st, 1 pm at Florida Hills Memorial Gardens. The family requests memorial donations to Gulf Side Hospice, 5760 Dean Dairy Rd, Zephyrhills, FL 33541. Arrangements entrusted to Turner Funeral Home (352) 796-9661