Jose Delfinio Ortiz 1928 – 2020

The most loved Jose Delfinio Ortiz passed away April 14 at his home in Estancia, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Progresso on Dec. 23, 1928, to Tomas and Candelaria Ortiz. He worked in a lumberyard in California and later was a bartender at the Paloma Bar in Albuquerque on south Broadway for many years with his brother Raymond. The brothers relocated to Estancia in 1974, acquired the Blue Ribbon Bar and ran it together until 1993. He was a devout parishioner of the St. Peter and Paul parish. He married the love of his life, Eufemia, in 1990. He was known to many as Tata. He will be remembered for his kind smile, generous loving ways, and patient demeanor. He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends. Delfinio was preceded in death by his parents, Tomas and Candelaria Ortiz; wife, Eufemia Ortiz; siblings, Delores, Raymond and Manuel Ortiz, Frances Garley, and Juana Fernandez; sons, Milton Jerardo Ortiz, Emilio Garcia; and nephew Osvaldo “Butch” Garley. He is survived by siblings, Alice Rivera, Daliha Tapia, Mary Corona, Melba Mccarter and husband Al Garcia, Mary and husband Felix Garcia, Rito Ortiz, Eddie and wife Silvia Ortiz, and Ramona Floyd; children, Kathy and husband Arthur Garley, Daniel and wife Anna Ortiz, Mary-lou Trujillo and husband Joe Cruz, and Geneva Swanson; daughter-in-law Josie Garcia; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces nephews, cousins and friends. Pallbearers are Arthur Garley, Anna Ortiz, Danny Ortiz, David Ortiz, Desirae Ortiz, and Elias Garley. Honorary pallbearers are Crista Garley, Dale Garley, Daniel Ortiz, Kathy Garley, Patricio Ortiz and Alvin Trujillo.