Obituary of Vladimer Ortega

Vladimer "Vlad" Ortega, age 55 of Garnet Valley, PA passed away peacefully on February 9, 2024 at home. Born and raised in Queens, NY, Vlad resided for the past 8 years in Garnet Valley, PA, previously residing in Wilmington, DE.  A CRA  (Community Reinvestment Act) officer for most of his banking career, Vlad worked for various financial institutions in the Wilmington, New York and New Jersey areas. Vlad found tremendous fulfillment in his work, proudly helping under-served communities obtain financing for various community projects.  His language skills and talent for building relationships made him successful in his work, while also creating many new friendships in the communities he served.  He was well known and respected in his field.  Growing up in Queens was a source of pride for Vlad, and he loved reminiscing with friends and sharing stories with his family about his childhood. He also enjoyed his time spent with extended family in Venezuela. As a young teenager, Vlad’s family moved from NY to Wilmington.  He finished his high school education at William Penn High School in Newcastle, DE, Class of 1987, where he was a star basketball player.  Vlad was a walk-on with the Seton Hall basketball team for one season.  He decided to focus on his studies when he transferred to St. Joe's University in Philadelphia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1992. Vlad was a huge sports fan, especially football, basketball and baseball.  As a native New Yorker, he never lost his love for the Yankees and the NY Giants.  He knew their history intimately and was a proud fan, always looking for that next championship to celebrate.  Vlad was also an avid reader, especially enjoying crime, cartel and spy novels, a hobby he shared with his wife and his mother-in-law.  Vlad was also known among his family and friends as a very classy dresser.  He enjoyed wearing suits to work more than most people could imagine, even though he was almost always in sweats outside of work.  He took great pride in his appearance.  As a dedicated gym rat who loved to work out, he wanted to keep fit for his health and appearance.  Vlad loved Italian food and enjoyed dining out in South Philly’s many great Italian restaurants, especially Dante & Luigi’s.  He also loved traveling to Italy and Puerto Rico as well as frequently visiting his beloved NYC with his wife and kids.  But probably his favorite pastimes over the last several years were watching his son play football and reading his daughter’s short stories.  A devoted husband, father, brother, son-in-law, and friend to many, he will be sorely missed.  Vlad is preceded in death by his mother, Inez Salcedo Ortega. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Amanda L. Crawford Ortega, and their children, Maximus and Vivian, his former wife Toni Ann Pasquale and their sons Raphael and Mateo Ortega, three siblings, Natasha (B. Greenhill) Ortega, Natalie (Mark) Ortega-Moran and David (Lija) Ortega, father, Vladimer Ortega, and father and mother in law, Tom and Susan Crawford. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 12:00PM, at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd., Garnet Valley, PA. Donations in his memory may be made to Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com