Richard Ortega

Richard J. Ortega, (Ricky or Rick) was born on January 6, 1955, and entered eternal life on April 14, 2023. Ricky was a kind and gentle man who was helpful to many friends and family. He was known for his "low and slow" driving and was one of those old-time Chimayo Lowriders. He worked for Zia company as a painter and for private painting contractors for many years. Rick took joy in hanging with his "commadades" like Angelo and Frankie, cruising and hanging out with his primos and the countless other pals and family, some of whom are no longer with us. His greatest joy came from watching his grandchildren grow up and the fact that he would drive them here and there, to and from school was his greatest delight. Many will miss Rick, but none more than his grandchildren, "the apples of his eye." Rick was respected by young and old because of his kind and quiet demeanor. 

Rick was preceded in death by his greatest champion "little grandma", Grabielita Ortega, stepson Jimmy Vigil, a cousin that was more like a brother Michael Ortega and his mother-in law Ann Pedrosa. Beloved aunts and uncles, Roger Ortega, Arturo and Clara Ortega, Celia and Flavanio Herrera, Ruberta and Teofilo Lopez, Amelia and Emeterio Vigil, Benny and Castelita Valdez and numerous cousins and friends who were very close to him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years Roberta (Bobbie) Ortega, daughter Olivia Martinez, stepson Mark Vigil. Grandchildren, Vanessa, Dario (Antoinette), David, Bryan and Allie Mae Martinez; Christopher and Crystal Vigil. Parents Merejildo and Elma Ortega, sisters Nila and Ray Montoya, Orlinie and Sammy Velasquez. Uncles and aunts: Leo Ortega and Betty, Tom and Helen Ortega, Harold and Linda Ortega, Grace and Eddie Trujillo, and Mary and Rocky Martinez. Nieces and nephews Desiree Velasquez, Destiny and Derek Salazar, Matthew Montoya (Ashley) and Isaac Montoya (Jacqeline); numerous cousins and friends. Lifelong friends; Angelo Cordova and Frankie Martinez and his care nurse of many years Gwenevere Hernandez. 

Services for Rick will be heldat Holy Family Church in Chimayo, with a Rosary at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21 and the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dario, David, Bryan and Vanessa Martinez, Mark Vigil and Sammy Velasquez. Honorary pallbearers are Angelo Cordova, Allie Mae Martinez, Desiree Velasquez, Destiny Salazar, and Matthew and Isaac Montoya.