Tom Ortega

Thomas Joseph Ortega was born October22, 1948 and died January 4, 2014 in Grants, NM He was the eldest son of Lotario D. Ortega and Mary Smalley Ortega. Tom was preceded in death by his brothers Lotario Eugene Ortega and John Andrew Ortega. He is survived by his siblings Mary L. Ortega, Teresa Heaphy and her husband Stephen; Ann Johnson; Peter Ortega and wife Malinda; Paul Ortega and wife Michele; Philip Ortega; Angelica Benavidez and her husband Mario. Tom had a large extended family of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, as well as, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Tom was a graduate of Lourdes High School in Albuquerque, and of the UNM Pharmacy School. He was active in the Democratic party of New Mexico, and served as Mayor of the Village of Milan, NM, until his death. Tom was a prominent New Mexico pharmacist, serving on the State of New Mexico Board of Pharmacy, including one term as Chairman. Tom will be greatly missed by his family and many friends who recall his generous and kind spirit. The funeral mass will take place on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church on Lomas Blvd. near Pennsylvania. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary. A memorial service will also be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Village of Milan Community Center in Milan, NM. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations in his memory be made to Cibola General Hospital, 1012 East Roosevelt Ave. Grants, NM, or to the Milan Elementary School, Milan NM 87021.