Obituary for Luis W. Osorio
LUIS WILLIAM OSORIO was a beloved member of the New York
community. He can be described as a devout patriot and protector of his
country’s flag, politically savvy, a trailblazing administrator, a community
strengthener and organizer, the quintessential mediator and problem
solver, spiritual mentor, surrogate father and patriarch, grand master and
teacher, and in the words of those closest to him a “Smooth Operator.”
Luis, or Doctor “O” to many, was born on November 26, 1945 in
Coamo, Puerto Rico, to Adrian Osorio, Sr. and Luz Elena Zayas, who have
predeceased him. He was brought to New York at a young age and was
educated in New York City Public Schools. He was a graduate of Aviation
High School in the Borough of Queens. After graduation he enlisted in the
United States Air Force.
Anyone who knows Luis knows that he was a proud veteran of the
Vietnam War. He was twice decorated by the Department of the Air Force
and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medals for Meritorious
Service and Outstanding Achievement. The decorations were given with
full oak leaf clusters for valor and gallantry. Luis was later conferred with
the Presidential Commendation for Conspicuous Service and Outstanding
Achievement.
Luis received an Honorable Discharge and entered Fordham University
in the Bronx, New York; where he received his B.S. in Education and
General Studies. He later received his Masters of Arts from the Bank Street
School in New York and later his Ph.D. in Education.
The career of Doctor O is long and distinguished. Among his many
achievements have been the following:
He served as Deputy Associate Commissioner with the New York City
Department of Employment, Division of Adult Training and Employment
Services. He served as the first Puerto Rican Head of Training for the New
York State Division of Youth in New York City/Nassau and Suffolk counties.
He was the first Hispanic appointed as Executive Director of Spofford
Juvenile Detention Center (then the largest in New York State). He was
designated the first Borough Director of Special Services for Children,
HRA, Brooklyn Field Office. He was appointed the First Advisor of Hispanic
Affairs for the Brooklyn Borough President. He was the first educator
selected as President of the National Association of Puerto Rican and
Hispanic Social workers. He was a former Chairman of the Social Science
Department of the Experimental and Bilingual Institute, in association of
with CUNY. He was a former Director of ASPIRA-Betances Community
Center in Mott Haven New York.
His last position, from 2009 to his final days was the Director of the
Cornerstone Project at NYC DYCD. Among his many responsibilities was
the oversight of NYCHA community centers throughout New York City. As
his colleagues will attest, this was more than a job; it was about ensuring
the well-being of the citizens of public housing and their youth. He spent
many 16-hour days, in all weather conditions, ensuring that all residents
were served with the best resources available from the city.
Like all of us during the trying times of the pandemic, he continued this
work virtually and spent hours on social media and the phone to ensure
that the residents of the city were not alone. His charm, wit and compassion
never took a vacation. He loved his job, his colleagues and the people he
served. Doctor O was called home March 26, 2021.
Some of us will remember him as a lecturer, seminar facilitator
consultant and recipient of numerous community based organizations and
governmental awards. Most of us will remember as someone who inspired
loyalty, love and commitment to his fellow man and the best example of
humanity we will ever know. He sleeps in power.
Luis is survived by his son Luis W. Osorio Jr. of Vancouver, Washington.
He leaves his brothers Adrian Osorio of the State of Kentucky, and Michael
Castro of Tampa Florida. He leaves his sisters Lizzette Castro, Nilsa Osorio
of Spring Hill, Florida and Yvette Osorio. He leaves his loving nieces
Denise Ardolino –Hill of Woodstock, Georgia, Donna Marie Ardolino of
Duluth Georgia and Michelle Matthew of Spring Hill, Florida. He leaves his
nephew Michael Matthew of Sterling, Virginia. He leaves great nephews
Danny Colôn, Brandon Colôn and Jonathan Crespo. He leaves host family,
friends and co-workers who send their love and eternal wishes.
Special acknowledgment is given his Special sons Jason Autar, Tomas
Ramos, Ricardo and Anthony Martinez; and his sister from another mother,
Iris.
community. He can be described as a devout patriot and protector of his
country’s flag, politically savvy, a trailblazing administrator, a community
strengthener and organizer, the quintessential mediator and problem
solver, spiritual mentor, surrogate father and patriarch, grand master and
teacher, and in the words of those closest to him a “Smooth Operator.”
Luis, or Doctor “O” to many, was born on November 26, 1945 in
Coamo, Puerto Rico, to Adrian Osorio, Sr. and Luz Elena Zayas, who have
predeceased him. He was brought to New York at a young age and was
educated in New York City Public Schools. He was a graduate of Aviation
High School in the Borough of Queens. After graduation he enlisted in the
United States Air Force.
Anyone who knows Luis knows that he was a proud veteran of the
Vietnam War. He was twice decorated by the Department of the Air Force
and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medals for Meritorious
Service and Outstanding Achievement. The decorations were given with
full oak leaf clusters for valor and gallantry. Luis was later conferred with
the Presidential Commendation for Conspicuous Service and Outstanding
Achievement.
Luis received an Honorable Discharge and entered Fordham University
in the Bronx, New York; where he received his B.S. in Education and
General Studies. He later received his Masters of Arts from the Bank Street
School in New York and later his Ph.D. in Education.
The career of Doctor O is long and distinguished. Among his many
achievements have been the following:
He served as Deputy Associate Commissioner with the New York City
Department of Employment, Division of Adult Training and Employment
Services. He served as the first Puerto Rican Head of Training for the New
York State Division of Youth in New York City/Nassau and Suffolk counties.
He was the first Hispanic appointed as Executive Director of Spofford
Juvenile Detention Center (then the largest in New York State). He was
designated the first Borough Director of Special Services for Children,
HRA, Brooklyn Field Office. He was appointed the First Advisor of Hispanic
Affairs for the Brooklyn Borough President. He was the first educator
selected as President of the National Association of Puerto Rican and
Hispanic Social workers. He was a former Chairman of the Social Science
Department of the Experimental and Bilingual Institute, in association of
with CUNY. He was a former Director of ASPIRA-Betances Community
Center in Mott Haven New York.
His last position, from 2009 to his final days was the Director of the
Cornerstone Project at NYC DYCD. Among his many responsibilities was
the oversight of NYCHA community centers throughout New York City. As
his colleagues will attest, this was more than a job; it was about ensuring
the well-being of the citizens of public housing and their youth. He spent
many 16-hour days, in all weather conditions, ensuring that all residents
were served with the best resources available from the city.
Like all of us during the trying times of the pandemic, he continued this
work virtually and spent hours on social media and the phone to ensure
that the residents of the city were not alone. His charm, wit and compassion
never took a vacation. He loved his job, his colleagues and the people he
served. Doctor O was called home March 26, 2021.
Some of us will remember him as a lecturer, seminar facilitator
consultant and recipient of numerous community based organizations and
governmental awards. Most of us will remember as someone who inspired
loyalty, love and commitment to his fellow man and the best example of
humanity we will ever know. He sleeps in power.
Luis is survived by his son Luis W. Osorio Jr. of Vancouver, Washington.
He leaves his brothers Adrian Osorio of the State of Kentucky, and Michael
Castro of Tampa Florida. He leaves his sisters Lizzette Castro, Nilsa Osorio
of Spring Hill, Florida and Yvette Osorio. He leaves his loving nieces
Denise Ardolino –Hill of Woodstock, Georgia, Donna Marie Ardolino of
Duluth Georgia and Michelle Matthew of Spring Hill, Florida. He leaves his
nephew Michael Matthew of Sterling, Virginia. He leaves great nephews
Danny Colôn, Brandon Colôn and Jonathan Crespo. He leaves host family,
friends and co-workers who send their love and eternal wishes.
Special acknowledgment is given his Special sons Jason Autar, Tomas
Ramos, Ricardo and Anthony Martinez; and his sister from another mother,
Iris.