Dominic R Ortisi

Dominic R. Ortisi
Dominic “Dick” Ortisi, age 87, April 27, 2018. Beloved husband of Mary Margaret (née Coraci). Father of Mary Jo, Sharon (Tom) Starkey, and John (Debbie). Proud grandfather of Olivia. Loving brother of Frank (Pauline), Marie (Michael) Maloney and the late Nunzio, Joseph and Angeline Tringali. Brother-in-law of Josephine, Josephine, Charles Tringali, Geri (Tony) D’Anna and the late Leonard (Noreen) Coraci. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Dominic graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1948 and started his first full time job as a file clerk, and later became a Claims Adjuster, with the American Hospital-Medical Benefit Insurance Company. He started evening classes at Wayne State University, which were interrupted when he was drafted into the U. S. Army during the Korean War, in 1951. He served within the United States for 6 months, then for 18 months with the Army Finance Corps in Stuttgart, Germany. While stationed there, he enjoyed traveling throughout Europe when on military leave. After he was discharged from the Army, Dominic resumed classes on a part-time basis at the University of Detroit. While continuing his college education, he founded and operated The Ortisi Insurance Agency. Twelve years after beginning college, he received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1960. While managing the insurance agency, Dominic became a full time student at the University of Detroit School of Law, and graduated cum laude in 1963. He sold his insurance agency and became a Claims Investigator in the Workers’ Compensation Department of Chrysler Corporation, followed by a short 18 month position with the Law Firm of Ellis R. Van Hoesen. In 1965, Dominic began his 34 year career on the Legal Staff of the U. S. Army Tank Automotive Command (TACOM), retiring in 1999 as Chief of the Business Law Division. Throughout his career he also had a private practice, generally dealing with real estate closings and preparing trusts and estate planning documents until the end of 2009 when he fully retired.
Dominic was a devoted family man and selfless provider who dedicated his life to helping others. He was lovingly nicknamed “Saint Dominic” based on his generous spirit, abundance of patience and gentle nature.
He had a natural born gift for drawing and was famous for his biscotti cookies which he learned to make as a boy working at Bommarito’s Bakery in Detroit. He enjoyed Italian and patriotic music, the Detroit Tigers and above all, spending time with family.
A funeral will take place on Friday, May 4 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 22412 Overlake Dr., St. Clair Shores, MI. Dominic will lie in state at 9:00 AM with a Mass following at 10:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church or to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen are appreciated. Share memories with the family at www.bcfh.com.