Otilio A Portorreal

Born to Otilio Portorreal and Mélida Gonzalez on June 14, 1932 in Ojo de Agua, Salcedo in the Dominican Republic, Otilio rose from humble beginnings to become a brilliant, well-respected anesthesiologist. Having graduated from medical school in the DR, Dr. Otilio eventually made his way to the United States in 1965 where he first worked at a hospital in New York before securing employment at Parma Hospital in Parma, OH. It was there that he met a pediatric nurse, Diane, who would become his wife of 54 years.

After having completed his residencies and fellowships at various Cleveland hospitals, he made his way to Fairview General Hospital where he worked in the Anesthesia Department from 1973-1997 as a member of the Westgate Medical Anesthesia Group - the first ever incorporated medical group in the United States. His colleagues often called him “Porto.”

Known for his love of classical music and opera, Dr. Otilio was an avid learner who also enjoyed history, politics, movies, great wine, sudoku, and engaging conversation. As a member of the Catorce de Junio movement in the Dominican Republic, he worked with his neighbors the Mirabal Sisters (Minerva, Patria, and María José), Manolo Tavares, and others to seek freedom and democracy for the country, which from 1930-1961 was ruled under the iron fist of the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. Jailed and tortured for his pursuit of democracy, Otilio survived and for the rest of his life would tout the importance of democracy, voting rights, and freedom.

A devout Catholic, he married Diane in 1969 and they had their first child (Sandra), followed by their youngest (David).

Otilio was predeceased by his father Otilio Portorreal, mother Mélida Gonzalez, an unnamed sister who died in childbirth, brothers Hildo (Negro), César, Juan (Tanito), and Miguel Ángel; as well as his father-in-law Albert Stenger, mother-in-law Ruth Stenger, brothers-in-law James Stenger and Chucho Fallete, niece Betty Falette, and nephews Miguel Ángel and Frances.

He is survived by his wife Diane (Stenger) Portorreal, daughter Sandra Portorreal Sanford (Lloyd Sanford), and son Fr. David A. Portorreal. His granddaughters include Kahla Fury, Monica Brown (CJ Brown), Lauren Sanford (Evan Lightcap), and Leigh Sanford (Jeff Phillips); as well as great grandsons Hendrix Otilio Brown and Teddy Phillips. He is also survived by his sister Josefina Portorreal de Falette, brother-in-law Ron Stenger (Deb), sisters-in-law Brenda Stenger, Celene Brandao de Portorreal, and Elsa Portorreal; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank his caregivers throughout the years: Roberta Mueller, Monica Franky, Alejandra Castaño, Laura Mesa, Yadley Israel, and the entire staff at Renaissance at The Terraces.

A Visitation will be held at Corrigan-Craciun Funeral Home (23040 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, OH 44145) on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Portorreal Family Scholarship at St. Ignatius High School (1911 W. 30th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113), St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary (10701 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach, FL 33436) or the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter (14010 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 709, Clearwater, FL 33762).