Earlier this month, 19-year-old Heraclio
”
EZ
”
Ortiz was working toward his green belt in Tae Kwon Do. Days
later, his young heart failed without warning.
Earlier this month, 19-year-old Heraclio “EZ” Ortiz was working toward his green belt in Tae Kwon Do. Days later, his young heart failed without warning.
To the shock of his coach and friends at Pulido’s Pro Fitness – the martial arts studio he frequented for the last 1.5 years – the teenager who was the picture of health died in his sleep Oct. 8, leaving behind a family grasping at straws to give him a decent funeral. His parents back in Mexico, Ortiz lived with his aunt and sister, who also takes classes at Pulido’s, and worked at Gilroy Foods, said Linda Pulido, the owner of Pro Fitness.
“They just found him in bed,” she said. “We were all shocked.”
Like a large family, the coaches and patrons of Pulido’s travel together to meets and competitions and became close after years of working together toward a common goal, Pulido said.
“Everyone took him in as a little brother,” she said.
Instead of Heraclio, his friends and coaches jokingly called him “EZ” because “it’s easier to call him EZ,” Pulido said. Ortiz may have been small, but he packed a punch and was working through the ranks of the sport toward a black belt, Pulido said.
“He was very talented,” she said. “I thought he was going to be really good.”
Ortiz’s family had to borrow $3,000 to pay for funeral costs and transporting his body back to Mexico, a sum Pulido hopes to raise through community fundraisers and donations. Pulido’s will host a Halloween party for ages 12 to 17 with food, drinks and a disc jockey, tonight from 7 to 11 p.m. at Pulido’s Pro Fitness at 30 Third St. Costumes are optional and tickets are $15 at the door. All proceeds will benefit Ortiz’s family for funeral costs. Pulido has also set up an account – no. 0011074397 – with Bank of America where community members may make a donation. Pulido said she’s hoping to raise enough money to cover the family’s debt.
“We’re trying to do as much as we can,” Pulido said. “I’m going to do my best.”
