Manuel Ortega, affectionately known as "Juanito" of Miami, passed away on July 16, 2022, at the age of 69, after health complications.

Juanito was born in the year 1953 to Juan "Mojillo" Ortega and Maria "Margo" Salado in the Island of Cuba. At an early age, Juanito migrated to the United States, where he would meet Manuel Vega in a church setting, in the city of Chelsea, Ma. The two soon created an unbreakable bond and unbeknownst to them both, GOD would set the path for Juanito to experience the greatest level of love through Manuel's children, aka Juanito's God Children.

Juanito is known to many and loved by all. There are many words that help describe the incredible human being God blessed Juanito to be and here are just a few that will shine through on his Tribute Wall… SELFLESS, GIVING, HONEST, CARING, KIND, INTELLECTUAL, at times short tempered but to all just a BIG LOVING SOUL that many had the blessing of sharing their lives with.

Juanito was a great cook and loved to try all types of foods… He also loved the OPERA and singing it at the highest pitches, while mimicking a MAESTRO in directing his invisible orchestra… He had a love for traveling and visited places like London, Paris, the Caribbean and many more. Everyone who knew Juanito, knew his love for Disney movies, which amongst many other things… he made sure to pass down to his God Children, even if it was through drilled force to make them fall in love with fairytales.

Juanito's biggest loves were his family and God Children, but everyone that encountered Juanito always held a special place in his heart, as he was always there to help all in need and give even when he did not have.

Juanito is survived by Consuelo Philipp (sister), Tony Ortega (brother), Manuel Vega, Linda Vega, Yubetzy Vega, and Adrian Vega (God Children). We know in our hearts, Juanito will always be watching over us, alongside his lifelong companion who he loved dearly and shared many memories in life with, Elizabeth "Betty" Birch.

Services to celebrate Juanito's life will be held at the Wilcox FFH on Friday, July 22, 2022, at 10:30 am, followed by the burial ceremony at Miami Memorial Park, at 2:00 pm.

May God bless and be with you all.