Obituary of Joseph M. Ortins

Joseph M. Ortins, 95, of Peabody, husband of the late Jeannette (Bedard) Ortins, passed away on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House with his family at his side. Joseph was born in Peabody on August 17, 1922 son of Manuel and Benvinda (Gil Bettencourt) Ortins. Raised in Peabody he graduated from Peabody High School. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with the Seabees as a carpenter’s Mate 3rd Class and was honorably discharged in 1945 In 1952, Joseph moved to Wenham and became a home designer / builder who owned and operated Wenham Homes, Inc. Following his retirement in 1987, he taught carpentry for 10 years at the North Bennett Street School in the Boston North End. Joseph is one of the last remaining founders of the Portuguese American War Veteran Post #1 in Peabody. As hobbies he enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden, traveling and smoking his famous cigars. He is survived by 2 sons, William Ortins of Marshfield MA, and David Ortins and his wife Paula Horne of Venice FL; a brother, Alden Ortins of Danvers, a sister-in-law, Ann Ortins of Beverly; a special nephew and niece, Phil and Ana Ortins of Peabody, and many other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by a son Thomas Ortins, a daughter Suzanne Ortins Sample, and his siblings Arthur Ortins, Leon Ortins, Leibia Da Costa, Zulmira Medina, Irene Ortins and Anthony Ortins. His Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 17th at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1 Margin St., Salem-Peabody line. The interment will be private. His family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Peabody Council on Aging, www.peabodycoa.org . Arrangements are by the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, Peabody. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for online obituary and memorial guest book.