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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Philip A. "Phil" Ortiz, O.D., who
4passed away on February 15, 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Phil Ortiz was born to Benito and Juana Ortiz on
6April 15, 1936; he graduated from Marquette High School in
71954, where he was captain of the varsity basketball team; he
8married Gaydeen Horna in 1958, and she preceded him in death in
92006; he graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in
10Chicago in 1963; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz joined his father-in-law Dr. Jerome V.
12Horna's practice after graduating in 1963; he then started his
13own optometric practice at the Tratt Clinic in Morris before
14opening his own building in 1969; his practice grew and
15underwent four major additions; he also supported Gay in her
16artistic endeavors, including the iconic 1970s dress shop The
17City Mouse; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz journeyed with the nonprofit Voluntary
19Optometry Serving Humanity (VOSH) on his first eye care
20mission in 1978; from that year on, he worked to provide vision
21to underserved people every day of his life; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz, Gay, and the late Dr. Charles Cools
2decided to create their own nonprofit and co-founded I Care
3International in 1987, building from a community of volunteers
4and fueled by the generosity of service club members from the
5Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotarians around the world; through their
6nonprofit, well over 350,000 people have benefited in some way
7from I Care efforts; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz was recognized for his contributions to
9humanity by several organizations, including the Paul Harris
10Fellowship and Lions Club International; he was also named
11Morris Citizen of the Year and inducted into the Marquette
12High School Alumni Hall of Fame; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz was deeply committed to his family, and
14he cheered for his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces,
15and nephews at sporting and varied activities; alongside Gay,
16he gained lifelong friendships while spending many years in
17San Luis Obispo County, California; he enjoyed hunting and
18fishing all over the world; he loved history, and he had a keen
19knowledge of world cultures and delighted in exploring their
20music and foods; he took great pride in his garden and loved to
21share it with others, and he was known to bring food and
22goodies to his friends, family, and neighbors; and
 
23    WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz was preceded in death by his parents;

 

 

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1his wife, Gay; his sister, Mary Perez; his brothers, Richard
2"Dick", Angel, Tony, Dan, Jose, Juan, and David; his
3sisters-in-law, Margaret, Ruby, and Patricia; his nephews,
4Rick Perez and Scott Ortiz; and his niece, Lisa Marie; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz is survived by his children, Dawn
6Ortiz-Legg and Dr. Tim (Karen) Ortiz; his grandchildren,
7Laurie (Geno) Woolsey, Taylor (Sean) Hershman, Ben Ortiz, and
8Georgia Legg; his great-grandchildren, Addisen Woolsey, Miles
9Woolsey, Erin Woolsey, Quinn Hershman, and Charlie Hershman;
10his brother-in-law, Ray Perez; his sister-in-law, Judy Ortiz;
11his many nieces and nephews; and his companion of the last
12several years, Rita DeAngelo; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
15Philip A. "Phil" Ortiz, O.D. and extend our sincere
16condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
17him; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of Dr. Ortiz as an expression of our
20deepest sympathy.