In Memory of Emilio (Peter) Ortiz

WANDA OUR PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU AND THE GIRLS.

*** Posted by THE CEDENO FAMILY on 2007-09-11 ***

In a Zurich, Switzerland, newspaper I read this report about yesterday's 9/11 memorial on Ground Zero. There was a picture of a mourning family, a mother and her two children, with baseball caps, one saying 'PETE' on it and the other two 'NY'. Subtitle was "Family Ortiz lost husband and father". Just one family out of many other innocent victims. But it gave this incredible tragedy a face, I was quite moved and felt very sorry. So I googled and found this website. Dear family Ortiz, I wish you all the best for your future, hoping these lines from a stranger far away will make you feel a little bit better.

*** Posted by Stephan Gujer, Zurich, Switzerland on 2006-09-12 ***

We had the pleasure of talking with your family while your beautiful daughters were in the Lenox Hill NICU unit. Our newborn daughter was there for a few days, and we always saw Wanda and Pete, and one of the girls' uncles. You were such a warm family. I remember Pete making a joke about not wanting to change diapers! My husband and I think about your family often, especially as we watch our own daughters grow. You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Stay strong...

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2006-09-12 ***

I met you under an unsual circumstances where I became friends with your sister, Millie Ortiz. It still is to my disbelief that this is the 5th year you've been gone. However, I assure you that you will NEVER be forgotten and will remain in our hearts always. We remember you as a cheerful and humble person.

Sincerely, Lourdes Roman

*** Posted by Emilio on 2006-09-11 ***

We met under unusual circumstances where his sister (Millie Ortiz) and I became friends. I'm still in disbelief over the loss of a kind hearted person whom Loved his family. He was a devoted brother, husband and surely a great father as well. Pete had a clever and cheerful personality. To all his loved ones and devoted friends, God Bless You. Emilio Pete Ortiz, you will always be remembered and loved.

*** Posted by Emilio Ortiz on 2006-09-11 ***

I didn't know Emilio "pete" personaly but reading the passages i feel as if i can relate to him. We share the same first name and the same last name but we are two different people. Although we never met i wish i would have had the plesure to do so.

*** Posted by Emilio Ortiz on 2006-03-24 ***

Emilio Ortiz's mother-in-law had bought a step-climbing machine to shed some pounds, and she was frustrated because it wouldn't help her sweat.

Ortiz, 38, jumped on it to show her how it was done, and when she was not looking, he sprayed his face, chest and back with water to create a fake sweat.

She got on the machine again and again, and he repeated the joke, pretending he hyperventilated because of the strong workout. When she realized what was happening, it was too late, because she was already sweating from the extra effort he had coaxed from her.

"He was such a prankster," recalled his wife of three years, Wanda. "He was always making my mother and brothers laugh. ... He was a generous soul with himself. He didn't hold himself back."

Ortiz, a cheerful guy who christened himself DJ Pete, also had a serious and responsible side to him, which led to his job as clearing supervisor for Carr Futures, a brokerage firm at the World Trade Center. Ortiz, of Corona, Queens, was lost on Sept. 11, leaving his wife and the now 8-month-old twin daughters, Emily and Amanda, who were the objects of his adoration.
Ortiz grew up in the Williamsburg and South Side sections of Brooklyn. After one year of college, he opted to work, and got his first job, more than 10 years ago, at the World Trade Center.

He was first hired by Klein and Co., a family-owned medical insurance firm that eventually closed. There he learned the day-to-day work of the company's accounting office, positioning himself for the job he held at Carr.

When his wife met him more than a decade ago, Ortiz was saving his nights for his other passion, popular music. He was a DJ at Teddy's Bar on the North Side section of Brooklyn. They became friends and started dating. The wedding proposal came on Valentine's Day 1995 in the form of another joke.

A nervous Ortiz gave his love speech in front of friends and relatives and handed Wanda a box containing a fake diamond ring. But the joke was on him - she was so overwhelmed by her emotions that the prank did not register. She thought the ring was beautiful and said yes. Then he pulled out the real thing, a ring with a marquise stone that she had wanted.
The wedding followed in 1998.

"I should probably have married him sooner," his wife said.
When he learned that his wife was pregnant, Ortiz told his mother- in-law, María Rodríguez, that he was praying for a daughter.

"He asked for one and God gave him two," said Rodríguez, of the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. Every night, Ortiz played with his daughters, carrying one at a time because he was afraid he might drop one of them.

"I am in pain, full of rage and suffering," Rodríguez said, "because a lot of good people like him died with the attacks."

*** Posted by ruben on 2004-12-22 ***

We lost you just four years ago,
A sorrow that still sings
Of all the tears and emptiness
The loss of loved ones brings.
Your day of birth and burial
Turned out by chance the same,
And so each year when it comes round
We feel both joy and pain.

Our sadness comes from missing you,
And missing you from love,
And love from all the love in you
That we became part of.

Your love is still alive in us,
We feel it ever new;
Our mourning's filled with happiness
By memories of you.

*** Posted by ruben on 2004-12-22 ***

To my brother in law
        "pete"

We lost you just four years ago,
a sorrow that still sings
of all the tears and emptiness
the loss of loved ones brings.
Your day of birth and burial
turned out by chance the same,
and so each year when it comes round
we feel both joy and pain.
Our sadness comes from missing you,
and missing you from love,
and love from all the love in you
that we became part of.
Your love is still alive in us,
We feel it ever new;
Our mourning's filled with happiness
By memories of you.

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2004-12-17 ***

Emilio "PETE" Ortiz Jr.

Pete was the best Brother,Father,Son,Friend,Uncle,Husband. I can go on and on about him. I have good and Funny things to remember him. Pete loved us very much.When we were kids him and i would play Batman & Robin. He had a little blue truck and that was the batmobile and the funny thing was that i had to push him around the house. We would go into the closet take out the pillows and use them as the bad guys. WE were punching pillows left and right. I could hear my mom telling us not to make a mess. He was always kissing and hugging me. Telling me how much he loves me.He means everything to me. There is not a day that i don't think of him.Wishing that i would bump into him and that 9/11 was just a Bad nightmare.
           
          The twins are big and beautiful. They were only 3 days before turning 6 months old when you went missing. Cheated out of knowing there DAD. Wanda is a great mom she loves and misses you.
              Your sister,

*** Posted by Milagros Ortiz on 2004-12-09 ***