Zachary N Ortiz

SPRINGFIELD – Zachary N. Ortiz, 15, was taken from this life on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Springfield on January 3, 1996 to Edward C. Ortiz, Sr. of Springfield and Elizabeth (Rios) of Texas. Zachary was a freshman at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Although he was only in his freshman year, he had aspirations of attending Harvard Medical School and becoming a biochemist. His dream for the future was to work to try to find a cure for cancer. Zach was on the honor roll at Chicopee Comp with a grade point average of 4.2 and worked very diligently to try to make his dream come true. He was a friendly boy with an infectious smile and cute dimples. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone whether they were young or old. More recently, Zachary took an interest in soccer and lacrosse and was planning on playing in the fall. Zachary, leaves on this earth to cherish his memory, his father, Edward C. Ortiz, Sr. and his stepmother, Heather M. Christiana both of Springfield; his paternal grandparents, Edward Ortiz of AK and Patricia A. Blando of Springfield; his mother, Elizabeth Marquez of TX; his three brothers, Edward C. Ortiz II of Springfield, Nicholas P. Ortiz of Springfield and Alberto Carasquillo of TX; his sister, Veronica Carasquillo of TX; his uncle, Michael J. Ortiz of N.Y.; his aunt, Paula Pagan of Springfield and his best friend Sebastian Colon of Chicopee. He will also be sadly missed by numerous extended family members and friends. A gathering to celebrate Zachary’s life will take place on Monday, April 25, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Service of Remembrance taking place at 8:30 p.m. at the Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St. Chicopee, MA. A committal service will take place on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in the chapel at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Zach’s memory, to either Chicopee Comprehensive High School, 617 Montgomery St. Chicopee, MA 01020 or to Life Choice Donor Services, 8 Griffin Rd. Suite 200B, Windsor, CT. 06095. Please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com for directions or to share a story with Zachary’s family.