Juan O Ortiz's Obituary
Juan Ortiz, also known as John or Efrain Ortiz, was born on July 4th, 1933, in Puerto Rico and passed away on April 25th, 2025, in Walnut Creek, California — just weeks shy of his 92nd birthday. If you knew John for even a little while, you knew he was a good man. He had the kindest heart. He gave whatever he had. He showed up, time after time, for the people he loved. At his core, he was filled with a great love and faithfulness for his Lord. As his dear niece Sandra recently said, "Your daddy heard the story of Jesus and it was not just a story — he made it a lifetime of reality."
John was raised by his parents, Juan and Pilar Ortiz, in Puerto Rico, where he first learned what it meant to love others. After high school, he joined the Army and served two years during the Korean War. Later, he met the love of his life, Susan Salsedo, in Hayward, California. They married and built a beautiful life together, raising two children, Keith and Arlene. For John and Susan, family didn’t end with blood. They had a lifelong habit of welcoming those in need into their home, young and old. Some stayed for years, some for shorter times, but all were cared for and loved.
John worked for the Hayward Daily Review newspaper while attending Chabot College and raising his young family. He later worked for the San Jose Mercury News before eventually buying a franchise business, Auto Driveaway, serving the Bay Area from San Jose to San Francisco for several years, before finally selling the business and retiring.
After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, he is now singing with perfect pitch — something he greatly enjoyed, even though it eluded him on earth — and is free from pain, able to remember, talk, and walk again. He is now reunited with his beloved parents, Juan and Pilar Ortiz, his brothers Juan Ortiz, Eliasib and Abimael Ortiz, and his sisters Zaida Ortiz, Milagro Ortiz Cruz, Belen Ortiz Pauneto and Rosin Chamorro — each of whom he loved dearly and carried with him in his heart.
He is survived by his devoted wife and love of his life, Susan Salsedo Ortiz, his son Keith Ortiz and wife Susan, his daughter Arlene Ortiz Gallinari and husband Joseph Gallinari, his grandchildren Briana Gallinari and Dominic Gallinari and wife Anabel Nuñez Gallinari, and his great-granddaughter, Ophelia Bel Gallinari. He also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, and extended family.
The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of John Ortiz will be held on Friday, May 9th, 2025 at 12:00 noon at the Chapel of the Chimes at 32992 Mission Blvd. Hayward, CA 94544, at the Mission Chapel. A Military Service will follow at the Chapel of the Chimes cemetery. Flowers may be ordered through Karen’s Flower Kottage on Mission Blvd in Hayward. Or, in lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org
Although John’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, his spirit will continue to inspire and uplift those who know and love him. May his memory be a blessing, and may we carry forward his legacy of love, kindness and giving spirit in all that we do. As he continues to worship Jesus in heaven, may his light forever shine brightly in our hearts.
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