Necrological Service

PS JUSTO “Justin” M. ORTIZ (September 22, 1929 – June 12, 2016)

Father of Rtn. Justo “Tito” A. Ortiz, Jr.

RCM Member 1989; Paul Harris Fellow 1991, 1996

Chairman - Membership Committee RY 1992-1994

Outstanding Rotarian of the 1st Quarter; Presidential Awardee – RY 1997-1998

Trustee – Sagip Kabataan Foundation passed away peacefully in the grace of the Lord last Sunday, June 12, 2015 6:00 PM

Justin was also a long time regular with the “World Famous Chorale” of RCM. Several of us gathered in the home of Sec George Salazar on Tuesday afternoon for a brief rehearsal to prepare to sing a couple of songs in his honor at the necrological service. Participating in the rehearsal were WF Chairman PP Babes Reyes, Gov & PP Obet Pagdanganan, DGND PP Rudy Bediones, PE & VP Teddy Ocampo, Rtn. Hermie Esguerra, PAT Raoul Villegas, PVP Lance Masters and Sec. George Salazar.

We practiced “When You’re Away” and “Ikaw.” We then caravanned to St James the Great in Ayala Alabang for the necrological mass and our Rotary tribute. The aforementioned were joined by many more RCMer’s, including Chair./PP Babes Reyes, Sec. George Salazar, Pres. Ebot Tan, Rtn. Thad Liamzon, Rtn. Cris Acosta, Rtn. Caloy Reyes, PP Archit Bartolome, Rtn. Ricky Guevara, PDSAA Tony Lopa, Dir. Susing Pineda, PD Ner Lonzaga & Spouse Femy, PDG Vince Carlos, AS Alvin Lacambacal, IPP/AG Frank Evaristo, PE/VP Teddy Ocampo, Rtn. Hermie Esguerra, PD Abe Pascual, PVP Lance Masters, DGN Rudy Bediones, PP Benny Laguesma, PD Sam Eldebs and AT Raoul Villegas.

At the conclusion of the mass, we were invited to the chancel, where PP Benny Leguesma served as Master of Ceremonies. He commented on Justo and why we were there to honor him, and then introduced President Ebot Tan. President Ebot gave a eulogy, enumerating Justo’s long and distinguished service through the Rotary Club of Manila. At the conclusion of his speech, we sang “When You’re Away,” to the true delight of the family. Fortunately, we had the strong voices of Hermie Esguerra and Thad Liamzon to bolster the remaining voices, so we actually did not sound too bad.

At the end of our vocal offering, Sec. George Salazar and VP Teddy Ocampo to present the framed name badge of Justo to his wife, along with roses from each of us present, joined President Ebot. The family greeted us warmly and invited us to join them for snacks in the adjacent dining room. We enjoyed our fellowship as we reminisced about days gone by. We know that Justo, a man with a deep conviction of faith, has passed on to a better place. We pray for the peaceful repose of his eternal soul, and that we will all see him again, when we are gone.