Rafael Sanchez Obituary

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Rafael Ortiz (affectionately known as Rafy and Papi) age 91, on September 24, 2024, at the Westwoods of Niles after a short illness. Rafael was born on April 8, 1933, to Antonia Ortiz in the barrio of Emajagua in Maunabo, Puerto Rico. Rafael resided in Brooklyn, New York for over 60 years and in recent years in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
In 1947, Rafael left the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and moved to New York City to pursue his studies and begin a new life in the promised land. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School and was always so proud of sharing that he graduated from, a prestigious educational system known for the sciences.
In 1955, he met the love of his life and beautiful Hilda Arroyo Crespo. After a short courtship, they happily married on June 30, 1956. They were married for 63 years until Hilda's passing in 2019. Their marriage produced five amazing children, Rafael, Ronnie, Sonny, Janet, and Cindy.
Rafael was known for his humor, wit, reading his Daily Newspaper, devotion to the New York Mets, and love and support for his family and friends. He was a devout member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York and later, St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Rafael worked as a grocery and candy store attendant for many years. Later, he worked as a school custodian in different school districts in the Northeast. After retiring, he and his wife, dedicated their time and energy in caring and assisting with raising his beloved grandchildren.
Rafael is predeceased by his mother Antonia, siblings Rafaela Ortiz, Virginia Andujar, Miguelina Ortiz, Celedonia Ortiz, Carmen Ortiz, Antonio Ortiz, Sebastian Fernandez and Sebastian Andujar. Children Sonny, Rafael, and Ronnie and grandson, Christopher Ortiz.
He is survived by his precious daughters, Cindy Bilancieri and Janet Ledesma, his beloved grandchildren, Maria R. Ortega, Adrianna and Robert (Fotini) Bilancieri, and Jennifer (Chris) Leonard, Christian (Mila) Ledesma, and Ariana (Aderotimi) Laniyan; great grandchildren, Jose-Arnel and Alani Ortega, Stella Bilancieri, Olivia Isabella and baby to be Laniyan, and Greyson Leonard; adored sister, Juanita Fernandez, and broken-hearted God children, nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Rafael's name, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or at https://www.stjude.org
Private funeral services are under the direction of Starks Family Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, MI. A funeral Mass, where all are welcome, will be held at St. Agnes Church in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Rafael's final resting place will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com.
"For I am sure that neither death nor life... nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:38-39)