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Legendary probate attorney remembered
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: May 19, 2016
Family, friends and legal professionals are remembering legendary Mahoning County probate attorney Albert J. Ortenzio.
Often called the “guru of probate law” by those he worked with, Ortenzio passed away unexpectedly on April 17. He was 89.
“My dad was still working full time and was in good health,” said Ortenzio’s daughter Jo-Lynn. “He was at work Friday and passed away on Sunday. As sudden as his death was I am grateful he did not suffer.”
Jo-Lynn said her father led a full and happy life. “He loved being a lawyer from his first day on the job and was fortunate enough to still be doing that job right up until he passed away.
“He had 89 great years, many of those spent with my mother, whom he loved very much,” said Jo-Lynn.
Born in Campbell on Nov. 18, 1926, Ortenzio graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 1942 at the age of 16. He enrolled in Youngstown College, but left when he turned 18 to enlist in the U.S. Army to fight in World War II.
During his service, he was routed to Okinawa, Japan and then switched to the Signal Corps, where he was in charge of signal equipment on the island. He earned the rank of Tec 4 and received a variety of honors ranging from the Victory Medal to the Meritorious Unit Award.
After being honorably discharged on Dec. 7, 1946, Ortenzio returned to Campbell, secured a job at the local post office and continued working his way through Youngstown College. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he used his GI Bill to cover the cost of attending the University of Michigan Law School.
Ortenzio graduated in February 1951 and took the Ohio bar exam less than a week later.
During an interview with the Daily Legal News in July of 2014, Ortenzio said the reason he rushed to take the bar exam was so that he could marry his college sweetheart Eunice in June. The gamble paid off. He not only passed the bar, but his marriage lasted 58 years until his wife passed away in 2009.
The couple has two children, Joseph, who works full time as an usher at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City and Jo-Lynn, who serves as creative services director for several Youngstown television stations.
At the time of his passing, Ortenzio was living with his daughter Jo-Lynn.
“My father was a good man,” said Jo-Lynn. “He always took care of his family, not just my brother and myself, but extended family members. He was a great provider and we shared many good times while on family vacations and during the holidays.
“We both loved to watch Michigan football,” she said. “He enjoyed life and the time that he spent with his family.”
Ortenzio began his career as a deputy clerk in the Mahoning County Probate Court under the late Judge Clifford M. Woodside.
Afterwards, Ortenzio and the late attorney Warren Pritchard decided to rent office space in the Central Tower building in downtown Youngstown. They entered into an office-sharing arrangement with attorney Martin Goldberg and the three began working to build up their practices.
In the beginning Ortenzio took on all types of cases, but as time went on he focused the bulk of his practice on probate and estate planning matters.
Over 20 years ago, Ortenzio moved his office to 6600 Summit Drive in Canfield, after entering into an agreement with Martin Goldberg and then attorney James Evans (now the late Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas Judge) to purchase land, design and erect a building. Ortenzio worked out of that location until his recent passing.
Part-time Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Court Magistrate and attorney Jeralyn Goldberg Mercer, Martin Goldberg’s daughter, said Ortenzio was one of her mentors.
“Albert’s daughter was born shortly before me so our fathers were very close,” said Magistrate Mercer. “When I went into corporate work and moved into his office building, he referred cases to me and offered me guidance in any way he could.
“He always set a great example for other attorneys to follow,” she said. “He was the consummate professional; he was courteous and kind to everyone.
“The truth is I was just one of the many attorneys that he mentored,” said Magistrate Mercer. “He had a very generous and giving spirit and attorneys would stop by all the time and ask for his advice.”
Ortenzio’s expertise in probate and estate planning earned him the respect of many, including Mahoning County Probate Judge Robert Rusu, Jr.
“I first met Al in 1993,” said Judge Rusu. “I did the same type of work that he did and I met him through the probate court.
“He had a reputation as the probate practitioner that other attorneys could rely on to answer all the difficult questions,” said Judge Rusu. “He was very supportive when I decided to run for judge.
“Al always felt like the probate court was his court because he had started his career working at the probate court as a deputy clerk under Judge Woodside. He had a personal connection with the court and he wanted it to be held in the highest regard,” said Judge Rusu. “Over the years he worked with many probate judges, six to be exact, before I came along.”
Judge Rusu said he and Ortenzio had a standing appointment in the courthouse every Tuesday at 10 a.m. “I would tease him by calling it ‘Tuesdays with Al’ like the popular book ‘Tuesdays with Morrie.’
“We would discuss and go over any filings he had and afterwards we would talk about Michigan football. His team was very important to him. When we concluded our business, he would go to the cemetery to visit his wife. It was his ritual.”
Judge Rusu said he was shocked to hear about Ortenzio’s passing. “He never looked or seemed ill. He was always engaged in the practice of law. It gave him purpose and he had so much to offer.
“Al was a consummate gentleman. He was always polite and respectful, well prepared and spoke intelligently about whatever issue was before him. As legal professionals we should all aspire to be more like Albert Ortenzio.
“He lived life on his terms and I think that’s what we all want,” said Judge Rusu.
Sole practitioner Steven Goldberg, who shared office space with Ortenzio for 28 years, calls Ortenzio the “dean of the probate bar.”
“Mr. Ortenzio was respected by jurists, peers and clients for his willingness to listen and discuss all sides of a matter,” said Goldberg, a civil trial advocate. “We collaborated on many cases.”
He said he was first introduced to Ortenzio more than 30 years ago when Ortenzio worked with his uncle, Martin Goldberg. “He was a constant inspiration to me and other lawyers,” said Goldberg. “He was my ‘go-to’ friend and professional advisor and I will miss him.”
In the wake of Ortenzio’s death attorney William Kalasky is taking over many of his open cases. The two shared office space in Canfield for about ten years.
“I have actually known Al since 1978 when I first started practicing,” said Kalasky, who handles estate planning and probate cases. “When I moved into the building in Canfield, I would consult with him on matters that had unusual fact patterns. He enjoyed the challenge of helping to figure out the solution.
“He was always a gentleman, very friendly and even tempered,” said Kalasky.
A longtime member of The Mahoning County Bar Association, Ortenzio received the Lawyer of the Year award in 1987. He served as bar president from 1975 to 1976, chaired the courts and inquiry committees and was a member of the bar association’s board of trustees. He was also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.
When Ortenzio received the Professionalism Award from The Mahoning County Bar Association in 2014, he told the Legal News that law was a “profession.” Thus he said he adhered to high standards and refused to advertise.
Ortenzio made regular donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He also supported the Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center.
In addition, he devoted 13 years to Mahoning County Children Services both as a member and as chairman of the board for two years.
The Boardman resident was also active in his church, St. Charles Borromeo Parish.
While he enjoyed a variety of sporting events, his biggest passion was watching Michigan football games. He held season tickets to Michigan football games for over 50 years.
Ortenzio’s two longtime secretaries/office administrators, Christine Madick and Helaine Yash, remain in the Canfield office as they wind down his practice.
Both said they would miss him. “He was like another father to us,” said Yash. “It’s so sad. He taught me so much over the years. We will still root for his Michigan football team unless of course they are playing Ohio State.”
“He was one of a kind,” said Madick. “He was more like family than a boss. He was honest and always looking out for everyone’s best interest.
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” said Madick.
Ortenzio was laid to rest on April 21 at the Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown with full military honors.
He leaves behind his daughter Jo-Lynn Ortenzio; his son Joseph Ortenzio of Forest Hills, NY; two sisters, Virginia (Tony) Chiarello of Boardman and Barbara Ann DeTallo of Poland; his brother Sonny (Evelyn) Ortenzio of Canfield; sister-in-law Olga Ortenzio of Campbell along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
His parents Antonio and Angelina (Sebastiani) Ortenzio, wife Eunice, sister and brother-in-law Stella (Samuel) Jordon, brother Joseph Ortenzio, brother and sister-in-law Patsy (Janet) Ortenzio and brother-in-law Rocco DeTallo all preceded him in death.