Art Ortega

Arturo Guillermo Ortega, Jr. passed away on November 28, 2013 in Albuquerque. He was born on May 29, 1946 in Washington, D.C. He graduated from St. Pius X High School in 1964 and attended Regis College in Denver and the University of Albuquerque. While at the University of Albuquerque, Art found his calling as a broadcaster. He started his career at KDEF in Albuquerque, and had a very successful run that took him to radio stations in Denver, Boston, Columbus, and San Diego. He returned to Albuquerque in 1985 and retired from broadcasting in 2011. Art was known for his engaging personality, quick wit, ready smile, and ever-active sense of humor. He volunteered on many boards and committees throughout his career and exemplified excellent problem-solving skills coupled with creativity and imagination to benefit the community. His late parents were Arturo G. Ortega and Eloisa Maes Ortega. He is survived by his wife, Lynda; son, David; grandson, Dominic; stepson, Eric Martinez; stepdaughter, Kristine Martinez; siblings, Dr. Ricardo Ortega, M.D., Cristina Ortega Morris (Robert), Carlos Ortega (Dolores), Daniel Ortega, Roberto Ortega (Loretta), and Armando Ortega (Yolanda). Art is also survived by his former wife, Margaret Ortega, plus many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, colleagues, and friends. He enjoyed the music of a spectrum of artists, but was especially fond of the Beatles, who burst onto the world stage when he was a teenager. Indeed, Art had a chronic case of Beatlemania that was practically contagious. He loved to attend and photograph David's and Dominic's soccer games and was a devoted fan of the Boston Celtics. The reservoir of steady love, encouragement, and support that Art left for his grandson, Dominic will help him immensely in his ongoing recovery from childhood leukemia. Pallbearers are Joe Melloy, Chuck Reynolds, Art Verardo, Joe McGuire, Richard Royman, and Paul Barabe. Honorary pallbearers are Malcolm Shannon, Frank Cody, David Battat, Ernesto Perez, Carla Barela, Judy Higgins Reynolds, and Dewey Weber. In lieu of flowers, donations in Art's memory may be made to the Heart Hospital of New Mexico Foundation or to the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation. The Rosary will be recited Friday, December 6, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima, 4020 Lomas NE, Albuquerque. Mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 7, 2013, 10:00 a.m. also at Our Lady of Fatima.