Rene Ortega

Rene Ortega                                                                                                                                                                                                                     05/25/50-11/4/26

Rene Ortega passed away after a lengthy illness, which he fought bravely, on November 4th at Albany Medical Center Hospital.  He was 76 years old. 

Born in NYC, he and his siblings grew up from very early ages in settings for the developmentally disabled (though not together) . Rene spent nearly his whole life up until the late 1980’s in at least 10 hospitals and developmental centers mostly in the NYC /Long Island area. 

Rene moved to the OD Heck Developmental Center in Niskayuna in the late 1980’s and came to live with Wildwood Programs in 1989. He often talked about the day we met him and he came “home” to Wildwood in Castleton, NY. He reminded us that he "picked us".  Fiercely independent, he loved walking to Stewart’s each day for his coffee, which along with ice cream remained his lifelong favorite things. He worked at the former Albany ARC in their sheltered workshop and then later in their janitorial services. He took great pride in being a “working man”.  

Several years later, Rene moved with some of his housemates to Albany, where they had greater community access. He greatly enjoyed walking around his neighborhood, visiting the local merchants, getting pizza and snacks at the local stores and proudly took two CDTA buses each way to his job. Rene would regularly tell us “I’m the best guy out there”. Rene loved to shop and go out for lunch always looking for “ good small things” - keychains, small coin purses and various bags. After some significant health issues, he needed to spend a year in a nursing home convalescing while a more suitable place that had physical accessibility could be found. He moved in 2018 to a new home in Cohoes. He enjoyed his welcome home party attended by all of his favorite people.

Transitioning to life in a wheelchair was not easy , but he was determined to do as much as he could on his own . This determination and perseverance served him well through the many challenges in his life. Rene loved being quiet but also loved spending time and talking with those people that didn’t rush him, were “soft and gentle” as he would say, and did what they said they would do . It was during those talks that he would share little pieces of his childhood and early life, and joke and laugh. He loved to laugh and had the most wonderfully contagious giggle when he found something particularly funny, often accompanied by silly faces he liked to make. One of Rene’s favorite things was Christmas - aside from the gifts , he loved spending time with his chosen family - special friend Sue Hanson and husband Herb Pagano , and the Sheehan Family (Bruce, Peggy , David, Katie and Tom).  It was truly a special time for everyone and Christmas will be very different going forward .  On the way home each year he would begin discussing his outfit for the next year's celebration.

Rene was loved by many wonderful people that supported and cared for him over the years - and we can all agree - Rene , you most definitely were the best guy out there. 

A Memorial Gathering to Celebrate Rene's Life will be held on Tuesday, November 17 in the chapel of the Riverview Funeral Home, 218 Second Avenue (corner of 104th Street), Troy NY from 10 AM to 11 AM.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM with Deacon Bob Sweeney officiating.  All are welcomed to attend.  Deacon Bob will open the floor to anyone who wants to share a story or any of their favorite memories of Rene.  Rene will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made, in Rene Ortega's Memory,  to Wildwood Foundation , 1190 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham NY 12110.