SR0866 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0866 LRB102 26457 LAW 36887 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Philip A. "Phil" Ortiz, O.D., who passed away on February 15, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Phil Ortiz was born to Benito and Juana Ortiz on April 15, 1936; he graduated from Marquette High School in 1954, where he was captain of the varsity basketball team; he married Gaydeen Horna in 1958, and she preceded him in death in 2006; he graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1963; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz joined his father-in-law Dr. Jerome V. Horna's practice after graduating in 1963; he then started his own optometric practice at the Tratt Clinic in Morris before opening his own building in 1969; his practice grew and underwent four major additions; he also supported Gay in her artistic endeavors, including the iconic 1970s dress shop The City Mouse; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz journeyed with the nonprofit Voluntary Optometry Serving Humanity (VOSH) on his first eye care mission in 1978; from that year on, he worked to provide vision to underserved people every day of his life; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz, Gay, and the late Dr. Charles Cools decided to create their own nonprofit and co-founded I Care International in 1987, building from a community of volunteers and fueled by the generosity of service club members from the Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotarians around the world; through their nonprofit, well over 350,000 people have benefited in some way from I Care efforts; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz was recognized for his contributions to humanity by several organizations, including the Paul Harris Fellowship and Lions Club International; he was also named Morris Citizen of the Year and inducted into the Marquette High School Alumni Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz was deeply committed to his family, and he cheered for his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews at sporting and varied activities; alongside Gay, he gained lifelong friendships while spending many years in San Luis Obispo County, California; he enjoyed hunting and fishing all over the world; he loved history, and he had a keen knowledge of world cultures and delighted in exploring their music and foods; he took great pride in his garden and loved to share it with others, and he was known to bring food and goodies to his friends, family, and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gay; his sister, Mary Perez; his brothers, Richard "Dick", Angel, Tony, Dan, Jose, Juan, and David; his sisters-in-law, Margaret, Ruby, and Patricia; his nephews, Rick Perez and Scott Ortiz; and his niece, Lisa Marie; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ortiz is survived by his children, Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Dr. Tim (Karen) Ortiz; his grandchildren, Laurie (Geno) Woolsey, Taylor (Sean) Hershman, Ben Ortiz, and Georgia Legg; his great-grandchildren, Addisen Woolsey, Miles Woolsey, Erin Woolsey, Quinn Hershman, and Charlie Hershman; his brother-in-law, Ray Perez; his sister-in-law, Judy Ortiz; his many nieces and nephews; and his companion of the last several years, Rita DeAngelo; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Philip A. "Phil" Ortiz, O.D. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Ortiz as an expression of our deepest sympathy.