Louis Ruben Ortega

Louis “Ruben” Ortega passed away unexpectedly in Melbourne, FL on August 1, 2023, at the age of 85. Ruben was born on September 19, 1937, in Ciales, Puerto Rico and was raised in The Bronx, NY where he was a loyal NY Yankees fan and enjoyed seeing his Bronx Bombers play at Yankee Stadium, in Florida, and on television. Ruben enjoyed fishing and watching boxing matches. Through the years Ruben liked taking road trips, seeing the country, and taking videos of his travels. Closer to home he was fond of photography and shared his photos with others. A proud US Coast Guard veteran, Ruben served honorably and enjoyed sharing stories about his service with the US Coast Guard. Ruben worked for the US Postal Service for several years and enjoyed a long career as a bus driver and then a dispatcher in the Bronx, NY for the Manhattan & the Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority until his retirement.

Ruben is survived by his children Michael Ortega (Claudia O’Neill), Anne Ortega, Denise Ortega-Coicou (Patrick), Steven Ortega (Tracy), and Daniel Ortega (Patricia). Also surviving are his sister Myrna Colon, his brother Roque Ortega (Jeanie) and his sister-in-law Ana Carlo-Ortega. Ruben leaves grandchildren Patrick Coicou (Mary), Noelle Gomez (Michael), Paul Ortega (Brittany), Alex Ortega, Steven P. Ortega, and Nahla Ortega; as well as great grandchildren Leo, Talia, Ezra, Ari, Enzo, and Gizelle. He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Rochelle Ortega, his mother Dolores Correa, his father Ignacio Ortega and his wife Aracelis Ortega, and his brothers John Ortega and Pedro DeJesus.

A Celebration of Life will occur on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 11:30 am at the National Cremation and Burial Society at 2990 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL. Interment with military honors is scheduled for 1:30 pm on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at The Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL. The family would like to thank the hospital staff of Holmes Regional Medical Center of Melbourne, FL for their care, compassion, and dedication.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/oviedo for the Ortega family.