This is a eulogy Anthony Ortiz wrote for his father and gave to the Sun-Times.
Richard Ortiz was slain in 1983 in Cicero after he ran afoul of the mob.
On Thursday, a jury held Frank Calabrese Sr. accountable for the murder.
Here is the eulogy in full.
Dad, so many years have passed but the memories have never faded. I’m here today to finally say goodbye and that I will always love you. Although I will never forget you I must let you go. Dad I am ready to let you rest in peace and I am ready to live my life.
For 23 years I was unable to do that.
I remember when they told me you were killed, I didn’t believe them, you were to tough to smart to let that happen to you I ran to the tavern I saw all the broken glass, I found your cigar on the ground. I thought that’s all I had left of you. I picked it up and at that moment I thought I became a man. And as a man I thought I new what I had to do .
I battled with the demons inside me. I felt I had to avenge your death. But now, dad, now that I looked into the eyes of the men that took you from us I see men that crave Evil, evil that’s shows no mercy to his neighbor nor his family. I wont become that. Dad I am going to be the father that you couldn’t be, and the father those men chose not to be.
I know you couldn’t be their the times I needed you, but I always felt you were with me.
The times I screwed up and bit off more than I could chew. You were with me. You told me to eat it up and spit it out. Sometimes I choked, Dad.
After my car accident when I was in a coma, You were with me, I felt you, you’re the reason I survived, you told me I had a life to live. I am ready to live it now, Dad.
When my first son was born, you were with me. You told me to treasure every minute with him as if it was my last. If I had only known, Dad.
When son died as an infant, You were with me, You told me he was in a better place. I believe you now. So are you, Dad.
The day of my wedding, You were with me, you told me to Hang in their kid, it’ll be worth it. – it is, Dad.
When each of the children were born, You were with me. You told me to believe in myself and try to be a good role model in how I live my life. I try, Dad.
The things you and I couldn’t do together dad, I will do with my children, and you will be with me. I will feel you there.
And I know you are here now with me, I can feel you. Even though I have to say goodbye, I know you will still be with me.
And I remember the last time I ever saw you, you were not yourself, I knew something was wrong, I wanted to give you a hug and never let go, and I remember telling you that I loved you. Dad, I still do.
Today I will walk away from this trial a better man. For I have learned things.
I have learned from this trial that it’s not the amount of time you share with someone that counts is what you make of that time. I have learned that from Frank Calabrese Jr.
And from his Nick Calabrese I have learned to understand what Martin Luther King meant when he said
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
From Mr. Lopez I have learned what Quote Marcus Tullius Cicero meant when he said
"When you have no basis for argument, abuse the plaintiff."
There is a passage in the bible that says –
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Justice won’t bring my father back, it wont bring us joy,
Justice will however give me peace to let go and the freedom to live my life
After all these years my family and I deserver that much
ANTHONY AND FAMILY,
IT WAS A PLEASURE FOR MY BROTHER AND I TO MEET YOU AND YOUR UNCLE, I'M GLAD WE ALL CAN FINALLY PUT THE PAST BEHIND US WERE IT BELONGS.
I'M SURE YOUR FATHER WAS A GREAT MAN. I HAVE TO SAY I ALSO ADMIRED YOUR UNCLE, LOTS OF COURAGE A REAL GOOD GUY. BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
NICHOLAS SEIFERT AND JOESPH SEIFERT
It's hard to imagine, but think about all the lives that were irreparably damaged as result of these murders. Literally hundreds of people.
Not only the people related or known to the victims, but now also to the people related or known to the defendants. Lives destroyed. That's what the Mob is about: destroying lives. What a waste all the way around.
A final biblical comment for the defendants themselves that I think is appropriate:
"A man reaps what he sows."
Dear Mr. Seifert and Ortiz:
You should consider possible civil action against these killers.
Is "No Nose" and the "Builder" next on the government hit list?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Those men would be the next logical choices.
This is one of the most complicated tasks of convicting "mob" associates for their crimes--collecting assets because they have little record of anything in their name.
Their practice of finances is specifically prepared for moments like these--is it not, Steve?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: You're absolutely right. Most mobsters don't have any property or assets in their names, just for this reason.
Take Joseph Lombardo. He set up a land trust for his wife and two children, which specifically excludes him. But it appears that it's his money that bought the land.
I hope you feel that you have closure now. I know I do.
My grandfather would have been great to know.
I feel horrible that I did not get know him. But now I have justice and so do you.
A mysterious aspect of this trial was what connetion Al Tornabene has with the mob.
It appears that he has been totally off the map in terms of being a mob "boss," is that accurate?
Is he a possible future target?
He looks like he's about a hundred years old so I'm guessing it may not be worthwhile prosecuting him, even assuming there is grounds to do so.
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Al Tornabene is in his 80s and in poor health.
I don't think he's been totally off the map. In a 1999 FBI summary of Chicago Outfit activity, he's clearly labeled as a leader.
But he's definitely a guy who keeps a low profile. The trial has put a spotlight on him, with the stories we've written about him in the Sun-Times, and the piece Chuck Goudie did on him on ABC 7.
Hi Steve,
Was there any mention of what the Outfit's primary business was at the moment--gambling, drugs, loans, pornography, union pension skims?
Those were the old days. But now it's more sophisticated now, I think? My guess is drugs...but..
Did you hear of anything during testimony?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: One of the main moneymakers for the Outfit is the video poker machines in bars throughout Chicago, according to trial testimony.
Mr. Steve,
Don't you realize that the Fed's only get these guy's when their old and grey.
Most of the damage has already been done. So the Fed's step up to the plate and put a 80 or 90 year old in prison to die.
That's Great!
Where are the Fed's when the Mob is in action?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Your history is a bit off. The feds have put away plenty of guys that aren't senior citizens.
The older guys are usually the ones that get the attention, though, because they are in leadership positions and have done the most damage to society.