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Peter Ortale Obituary
Peter Ortale did not need occasions to send people presents. He just sent them when the desire percolated in him. That was often.
One of five siblings, he regularly liked to pick out something that caught his fancy and mail it to each of the others, as well as his mother. In the spring, the relatives got a book, "A Short Guide to a Happy Life," by Anna Quindlen. Just before the summer, he sent them a box of chocolates with a note, "Have a happy summer." His mother was constantly getting flowers.
"He did things without provocation, because he liked to," said his sister Mary Malitas.
When not working or sending presents, Mr. Ortale, 37, a bond broker at Euro Brokers, was often playing lacrosse. He was one of the best players on his high school team in Philadelphia, and again at Duke University. After he graduated, he played in Australia, and once he began his career, he continued to play for various leagues on weekends.
A few years ago, he took up cooking. He found it therapeutic. When friends and relatives visited him and his wife in SoHo, he would often turn out an elaborate meal, sometimes trying things not everyone might. Once he steamed a fish in the dishwasher. He thought it came out great.
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Robert
September 11, 2024
May you be with our Lord!
Had fun times in French class with Smith!
Greg Nespole
September 11, 2024
Peter, you are still in my thoughts and you are still the best athlete I have ever met! I wish you had seem my sons play lax...
Love Greg
bruce reaburn
September 4, 2024
It will never be just a day. Thoughts are with you and what may have been. Aroha.
Maggie Reyes
May 22, 2024
"May the day never come"...your response when I'd ask what day your birthday was. Feeling blessed to have had the pleasure! Miss you!
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GREGORY NESPOLE
May 22, 2024
Happy Birthday.
Bud McDonough
May 21, 2024
As the summer approaches my thoughts return to years past of football on the beach in cape May Uncle Bud
Bruce Reaburn
May 20, 2024
Happy birthday PKO.
GREGORY NESPOLE
November 20, 2023
When I see my sons play LAX, I often wonder what Peter would say? I bet he would tell them to use their left hands and always out work the opponent! I still miss our runs in Central Park.
November 19, 2023
I miss your voice. I miss you.
Cathy
May 20, 2023
Peter had a big heart and a zest for adventure. He once wrote that life expires not from death but from boredom. It kills the best. We could live forever, no reason to die. Our hearts grow weak from nothing to love.
In Peter's honor, I love many things and most importantly, I honor and love all people. Peter's birthday was yesterday, he would have been 59. Namaste.
bruce reaburn
May 19, 2023
Happy birthday. Hari huritau ehou.
bruce reaburn
September 11, 2022
Another year passes.
Cathy Grimes
May 20, 2022
Peter, We got the craziest surprise on your birthday. A woman in Maryland purchased a book at a used book store. The book, by Raymond Carver, is titled, "Where I'm Calling From." In the book, the woman found letters written to Mr. Joe Perrot at William Penn Charter School. The letters were written by 'Peter.' In a supreme gesture of consideration, the woman sent the book with the letters and other included items to Penn Charter with a note "I hope this gets back to the people it will matter to the most." Penn Charter called us to verify that this indeed was a letter written by you to Mr. Perrot. There's no doubting your handwriting or your writing style. I think you missed your calling as a writer!
Little does this woman know how special and meaningful her gesture has been to all of us.
It has been so remarkable to celebrate your birthday with you "where you're calling from" , to read your letters, and be reminded about just how crazy and special you were and continue to be in all of our lives.
Thank you for this gift....wherever you're calling from. All our love, always. Cathy
DLP
May 19, 2022
Happy birthday Pete!! Always remembered our birthdays are exactly a month apart. Hope you´re celebrating up there
Caroline
September 11, 2021
20 years today...I miss you. You are always in my ❤️
Maggie Reyes
September 11, 2021
20 years...I still can't wrap my head around it. So much has happened, so much has changed but the memory of you lives on. Te extraño
Never Forget ❤
Chrisdon Schreiner
September 11, 2021
20 years today
Feels like it was yesterday
Never forget U
Miss U Cuz
PKO 10
bruce reaburn
September 10, 2021
Another year passes.
J O
June 17, 2021
You are heavy on my mind.
I miss you.
Xoxo
Gregory Nespole
May 21, 2021
Peter, you would of loved to know that all of my sons are now Lax players and Duke fans. Happy Birthday.
Joe Dougherty
May 20, 2021
Thoughts and Prayers on your Birthday Peter......
bruce reaburn
May 19, 2021
Happy birthday.
Catherine Grimes
September 12, 2020
Forever in our Hearts
Catherine Grimes
September 12, 2020
You never get over this kind of loss, but together we get through it.
Catherine Grimes
September 12, 2020
2020 Virtual Run for Peace
Catherine Grimes
September 12, 2020
Gregory Nespole
September 11, 2020
I still miss our runs in Central Park.
Chrisdon Schreiner
September 11, 2020
Always in our hearts....Miss U everyday Cuz
bruce reaburn
September 10, 2020
Another year passes. We should be talking about the difficulties of raising kids. Miss you PKO.
Julie
September 4, 2020
19 years...it just can't be..
I love and miss you and carry you In my heart every single day...
Until we meet again brother...
C'mon...think about it...
I love you always
Xoxo
Catherine Grimes
May 20, 2020
Peter, we are in a lockdown. I would love to have the chance to talk to you about what's going on in the world. Trapped inside we are doing many of your favorite things, cooking, watching movies, playing games, and just hanging out. I know you didn't like to celebrate your birthday. But, I can't help thinking about you and wishing that we all shared a toast to celebrate life. We do our best to Carpe Diem. I know that's what you would have wanted. I hope we emerge from our lockdown with more compassion, more generosity, more gratitude and curiosity about how to make the world the best place possible for human beings to live happy and free. I think that's what you would have wanted too. To honor your life, that's what we're focused on.
all our love. you are always with us. Cathy, Maurice, Gigi, Everhett
bruce reaburn
May 19, 2020
Happy birthday.
Maggie Reyes
September 14, 2019
Think about it! Yes or No! I can still hear you say those words! You made the lives of those of us who had the pleasure of knowing you so much brighter. Te extraño tanto
Maggie Reyes
September 11, 2019
Miss you!
Chris Schreiner
September 10, 2019
Miss U Cuz
I wish my girls could have known you.
U where one of kind.
Love u
bruce reaburn
September 10, 2019
Miss your friendship.
September 9, 2019
Peter, I still miss our runs in the park.
Greg
Diane
September 12, 2018
Peter- was our JFK Jr in the Neighborhood- His bright blue eyes- his banter and handsome smile will be remembered all our lives. There were a dozen of us kids,always played up off of Harrison..and Allengrove Street! Those days will stick with us all forever!
cathy grimes
September 12, 2018
One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name....a Peter favorite. I'm trying to fill that one crowded hour with as much good and glory as possible. I love you for who you were and for who you remain to be in my heart everyday.
xoxo Cathy
Maggie
September 11, 2018
Missing you!
xoxo
Anna Marie Leporace
September 11, 2018
Have a vivid memory of you walking home after school on Castor Ave.. You had a huge grin on your face as if you had some incredible secret. I still remember being curious as to what you were thinking. Brings a smile to my face. You are never forgotten.
Johna Hollis
September 11, 2018
Remembering you today...though we never met, I call you friend.
j.
bruce reaburn
September 10, 2018
Remembering you today.
Maggie Reyes
May 20, 2018
"May the day never come"... always your response to me when I'd ask what day was your birthday. So many great memories embedded in my head and heart. Missing you always. Happy Birthday in heaven. ❤
Bruce Reaburn
May 19, 2018
Happy birthday friend as the years pass I miss you more.
J O
December 24, 2017
Merry Christmas brorher....you are heavy in my thoughts today... missing your energy and spirit...Love to the above xo
Diane Peagler
September 11, 2017
Years may have passed..... and all of our lives. have gone in different directions.. but we always pause and think of Pete, and all of you fondly
September 11, 2017
Always in our heart and never forgotten
Tom Flaherty
December 21, 2016
Rest in Peace.
December 20, 2016
I love you and miss you...xoxo JMJ
Salvatore Friscia III
August 30, 2016
In Memory with
Honor & Respect.
Life is Good.
July 21, 2016
Beautiful Outside and Inside.
Wedding Day
July 21, 2016
The only love you keep is the love you give away. May 2000
Pope Francis visits WTC Museum
July 20, 2016
January 26, 2016
Missing you so PKO10...watch over and protect..xo xo
September 14, 2015
You took the road less traveled. And we are all better and sad because of it. Your light will shine forever in so many ways. Thank you for all that you gave.
September 12, 2015
You are a light
September 12, 2015
I think of you often and tell the story of the day that we met. We had just returned to Campus in late August and you had just come in from a run - from West Campus to the airport and back, about 30 miles!
September 12, 2015
You still bring laughter to my soul. Missing you my friend xoxo
September 12, 2015
I miss you so....XXOO
Dan Orlow
September 11, 2015
Looking over at 9/11 memorial lights tonight here in downtown Manhattan. They shine to the sky--they are showing the way home for you and all the others lost today years ago.
November 17, 2014
I miss you big brother
Crazy kind of love
September 12, 2014
No day shall erase you from the memory of our hearts. Love you always. Finding ways to bring good karma to the world each day...in your honor.
Johna Hollis
September 11, 2014
Thinking of you.
Mark Hudson
September 11, 2014
Still can't believe it. Today had to explain what happened to my youngest son. Told him about you as a scrappy young kid that would play any sport any time with tenacity. So I could only imagine you as an adult. Hope your family is well.
Maggie Reyes
September 10, 2014
13 years...it still feels like yesterday.
Missing you =o(
xoxo
Mag
September 9, 2014
Pete I can't believe it's been 13 years. Miss u.
Feels like it was yesterday. Your sister Julie is coming up Thursday. I hope to come up soon.
Luv Ya Cuz
Maggie Reyes
May 28, 2014
The Big 50! (Yes I know I'm late sorry!)You'd be totally gray by now but still handsome nevertheless!
You are never far from my thoughts!
Love and Miss you dearly! xoxo
Peter Mcdonough
April 29, 2014
Thinking about the fun times. Aunt Pam and I are on our way to New York we hope to get to the Memorial today. Missing you always. Love Uncle Bud
Ted Sliwinski
November 8, 2013
May you rest in peace. You taught me some very important lessons in life while at Duke.
Tom
September 13, 2013
A "warrior poet" was how you were described in the recent announcement awarding a trophy in your honor to a lacrosse team in Philly earlier this year. How appropriate for someone that exhibited the range of qualities that the term would imply. As a fierce, tenacious, competitive athlete you intimidated opponents because they knew you would never acquiesce. Accepting defeat was just not your style. As an educated, thoughtful man with a thirst for knowledge, you enriched the lives of all those you touched with your warmth and intellect. It is with great admiration and respect that I think of you on this anniversary of such inconceivable loss. Rest in peace warrior poet. You have left memories that are indelible in the hearts and minds of those you impressed with your determination and fortitude.
September 12, 2013
xoxo missin u soo much big brother....
Chris Schreiner
September 12, 2013
Not a day goes by I don't think about u.
Linda Daswick
September 11, 2013
I knew Peter when he and Denis McHugh worked at Tullet and were two of my most favorite people "on the street". I will never forget how funny, caring, and interesting he was. Peter is part of my most cherished memories of the people I was blessed to know as co-workers and friends, even though I worked at Harris Bank in Chicago and they all worked in New York. Peter, I will never forget your friendship and kindness and I wish I could have known you better. I look forward to seeing you again in heaven, where I hope to tell you all this face to face.
Pete Reich
September 11, 2013
Peter and I met at the North South Collegiate Lacrosse game at Johns Hopkins University in 1987. I was the kid from California, and we were room mates for the days surrounding the event. I think of you often Peter and the next goal is for you!
Maggie Reyes
September 11, 2013
Remembering you today and always!
Maggie Reyes
September 13, 2012
Thinking, remembering and missing you! I finally got the chance to meet your sisters...Julie looks so much like you, I can see why you always talked about her!
You are always on my mind and forever in my heart!
Love you always,
Mags
Joe Dougherty
September 11, 2012
Through Union Ties: Remembering 9/11 Victim Peter Ortale
http://phillylabor.com/through-union-ties-remembering-911-victim-peter-ortale/
Jason Christmas
September 11, 2012
Peter, never had the chance to meet you but your legacy lives on in close families like the Schreiners and Malitas, McDonoughs that are salt of the earth. They and We will never forget!
Bobby Hellings
September 11, 2012
Hard to believe it's been 11 years. We still remember, we will never forget. God Bless Pete!
September 11, 2012
Pete,
You were truly one of the best athletes I ever knew and found you to be so inspirational both in and out of the classroom through out our years together @ Penn Charter. As it turns out, many of those life lessons learned together in high school carry on into my life up to this day and what I imagine will be times well beyond. I often think of you in times requiring perseverance, bravery and toughness. You will always be the quintessential PC student, athlete and friend in my book. Your ability to lead seemed to come so naturally to you no matter what the situation at hand was and I will always admire that about you. I wanted to thank you for all the great memories.... you are truly missed by so many of your OPC classmates...
September 11, 2012
Time passes and memories may fade but losing someone like you on this day will always be incomprehensible. There is no greater sorrow for those who knew and loved you.
Carol Butterly-Creelman
September 11, 2012
Thinking of you and your family today!
May 23, 2012
Happy birthday. Sorry I missed it last week. We should be swapping kids photos now. I tell my son OPR (GuESS WHAT THE P STANDS 4).One of my parcels that was lost still made it through to Kenya (i like to think your spirit helps guide the parcels). A girl I am helping through school there I wrote to her about you. I told her you once told me you gotta have some luck. Your memory is now her luck, I also told her of your thirst for knowledge. My words did not do you justice, How can they? Happy birhday
Thomas Gunn
May 1, 2012
Hey Pete, It's been a long time since we've had conversation. For some reason you seem to be on my mind today. Maybe it's because I recently told someone the story of how you were actually hired. If you recall Brian Ciardi and I interviewed you for the job and he and I agreed before hand that we would inform every candidate of our decision as in our own experience of applying, people never got back to us. So, when we came to a decision you were not our first choice and we informed you of that. Of course you let us know that we had made a mistake and that YOU should have been chosen. As things worked out, our original candidate left to go to medical school and we called you to offer you the job. Thus the start of an illustrious career. I think of you often as I do with Dennis and our other teammates so, until we meet again, I thank you for the memories.
January 18, 2012
hey big brother...i miss u sooooo...just watched "The Outsiders"...stay gold:)
xoxo
January 7, 2012
HAD TO HAVE BEEN QUITE A GUY..I HAVE SAVED HIS GUEST BOOK AN PIC.OF HIM AN HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE..IN MY TO FAVORITES.IAM SORRY TO HAVE NEVER MEANT HIM'JUST READING ABOUT HIM HAS PUT A VOID IN MY LIFE. TOM ORTALE..RICHARD AN STEPHIE ORTALE..AN DAVID ORTALE..SANTA BARBARA..CA.
September 14, 2011
thomas william ortale here in santa barbara ca.
Jennifer Syzc
September 13, 2011
To the Ortale Family,
I never had the pleasure of knowing Peter, or Julie, but both of their names were names I knew from playing softball at Simpson and from mutual friends who I attended school with at FKD. So many of those people posted memorials and tributes on their FB page this past Sunday, the 10th anniversary of your tragic loss. I just wanted to tell you that I have read all of those posts and had the pleasure of reading about Peter's life and academic career. I can tell that he was truly a amazing person and I am so truly sorry for your loss. I wish you peace, comfort and love.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Coyle Syzc
Chere Williams
September 11, 2011
Thinking of Peter and his family. May you rest in peace.
September 11, 2011
Your spirit lives on..
julie ortale
September 11, 2011
I wasn't ready for you to be gone so soon...
Too much...
Visit me in my dreams...
I always carry you in my heart!
Xoxo
Lisa
September 11, 2011
I am sorry for you loss :(
Chris Schreiner
September 11, 2011
Peter,
Thinking of you always on this 10th year you left us.
Miss u like it was yesterday.
I know your taking care of the family up there. We all think about u everyday.
Luv Ya Cousin
Mary Domico Mullane
September 11, 2011
I knew Peter from St. Martin's Class of 78. Always had a smile on his face. To this day I still have a picture of him, although not too clear, at our 8th Grade Dance at the Bingo Hall on Harbison Avenue. My husband, Dan Mullane, also had the pleasure of knowing Peter. Hung out with him a few times. Played football. Always said what a great athlete he was. We think of him often. The Ortale family will always be in our prayers.
Gil Ortale
September 11, 2011
Pete
I love you and miss you like crazy brother. The vacuum created when we lost you is galaxy sized.
Everything that's wonderful in life reminds me of you.
Bridget Leone Cusack
September 11, 2011
Peter, since 1st grade when we met, I always knew you were special. I have read several articles on-line and entries here about you. I'm not surprised how many lives you have touched. After all, it's 40 years later from when we met and I still remember your smile and kindness, from our grade school years. On this day, remembering and keeping you, your family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.
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