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Obituary for Philip Ortel, III
From the adventurous little boy who loved to climb the highest trees, balance on the tops of the tallest walls, build tree houses, and ride his unicycle or, on occasion, ride his bicycle backwards, Phil grew into a kind and generous man, who loved his parents, siblings, and especially his nieces and nephews. Phil was an animal lover, who never met a cat or dog he didn’t like.
Phillip Ortel III was born on October 10, 1952, in Dallas, Texas. Ten years later, his family moved to the Jersey shore, where Phil would live the next fifty-two years of his life. After graduating from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ with honors and a BA in Communications.
Phil worked in newspaper advertising, as an assistant editor for Viking Penguin Publishing in New York City, and finally before retiring at sixty-two, as an inventory and billing specialist for the Bank of New York in New York City.
At age sixty-two, Phil moved to Denver, where he has lived the last five years with his younger brother, Tim. Phil enjoyed Denver’s beautiful scenery, from the breathtaking backdrop of the Rockies to the numerous hiking trails, on which he took many a walk with Tim’s dog, Samantha. The photos Phil sent to us showed his love of nature, from memorable sunsets to colorful flowers and trees. These photos reminded us that Phil was an artist, who had been voted Class Artist by his classmates in high school. He enjoyed the camping trips he took with his brother, not so much for the aspect of “roughing it,” but for the exploration of the countryside the trips afforded. So when we see a spectacular sunset or sweeping vista of faraway mountains, we’ll think of you, Phil, because we’ll know that somehow you’ll be there with us.
