Juan Ortiz Collazo

With profound sadness, we share the news of the passing of Juan Ortiz, affectionately known as Lulo, on December 24, 2024. Born in Guayama, Puerto Rico, on May 29, 1951, Juan brought joy and laughter to all who knew him. His humor was contagious, his humility inspiring, and his love for his family boundless. As we mourn the loss of Juan, we also celebrate his vibrant life, one filled with laughter, compassion, and remarkable resilience.
Juan's journey from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts, is a testament to his adventurous spirit and relentless pursuit of the American Dream. In his adopted home, Juan served as a social worker, pouring his loving and compassionate heart into his work, providing comfort, assistance, and guidance to those in need. He had a gift for connecting with people, for understanding their struggles, and for offering a helping hand and a funny anecdote to lighten their burdens. As Maya Angelou said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." This quote resonated deeply with Juan, and he lived it every day in his work and his interactions with others.
Beyond his professional life, Juan was known as "El Rey Del Pique" for his special hot sauce, a skill and passion he grew with his family to make others feel like home. His family gatherings were never complete without a bottle of his famous hot sauce. He is survived by his devoted wife, Yolanda Ortiz, his loving daughter, Neysha Ortiz and his amazing grandson, Jarxiel Ortiz. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Ortiz and Carmen Collazo. To say Juan will be missed is an understatement; his absence will be deeply felt by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
A viewing will take place on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, at Puerta Del Cielo® Funeral Home, 730 State Street, Springfield, MA.
We invite all those who knew Juan to share their favorite memories and photographs on his memorial page. It is our hope that these shared moments will bring comfort and joy during these challenging times, and serve as a lasting tribute to our beloved Juan