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Governor Bryan Attends Ceremony in Estate Profit to Name Route 633 in Honor of Eddie Ortiz - Government of the United States Virgin Islands Governor Bryan Attends Ceremony in Estate Profit to Name Route 633 in Honor of Eddie Ortiz - Government of the United States Virgin Islands Government of the United States Virgin Islands Home Governor Albert Bryan Jr Pressroom Executive Orders The Cabinet Government of the United States Virgin Islands Home Governor Albert Bryan Jr Pressroom Executive Orders The Cabinet © 2026 Government of the United States Virgin Islands Governor Bryan Attends Ceremony in Estate Profit to Name Route 633 in Honor of Eddie Ortiz Search Latest Comments No comments to show. October 9 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes led a road-naming ceremony on Wednesday to honor Eddie Ortiz, who was beloved in the Estate Profit neighborhood for his unyielding and never-ending efforts to improve the quality of life for dozens of families in the largely Hispanic community. Governor Bryan recalled Mr. Ortiz a champion for others, someone every elected official needed to know and someone everyone should emulate. “He was such a passionate person,” the Governor said. “In Eddie you saw that. He never missed an opportunity to reach out for somebody else. It was never about him. It’s important to remind our young people about people like Eddie Ortiz.” Mr. Ortiz, who died in 2015, was lauded for his decades of selfless service to his community including working with elected officials to improve roads and to install streetlights and working with police officials to rid the neighborhood of criminal activity. What he is most remembered for, however, was his commitment to keeping Hispanic traditions and culture alive. For decades, Mr. Ortiz raised funds to buy gifts for children and organized a Three King’s Day celebration, a deeply held Christmas tradition in the Hispanic community. In recognition and appreciation of Mr. Ortiz’s contributions, Route 663, the road traveling from the Queen Mary Highway, past Central High School and south to the Melvin H. Evans Highway was officially renamed “The Route 663 Eddie Ortiz Drive.” The legislation to rename the road and to provide funding to install the signage was proposed and championed by Administrator Sanes while he served as a senator in the 32nd Legislature, and it also was supported by Senators Novelle Francis Jr., Neville James, Armando Liburd and Janette Millin Young. “Eddie wanted what was best for his community and he would do whatever it takes to make this a better community,” Administrator Sanes said. “I cannot tell you the amount of people that benefited from his hard work. I cannot tell you the amount of children that would come here on Three King’s Day and get a gift from Eddie Ortiz. And I cannot tell you how proud I am to say that I knew him as a brother, as a friend, as a compadre and as everything else because Eddie Ortiz was an awesome force to be reckoned with. His spirit and legacy lives on in everyone in this community.” Mr. Ortiz’s nephew Emerito Torres also spoke during the ceremony. “Naming this street, the Eddie Ortiz Drive, it’s amazing,” Mr. Torres said. “It’s worth it. He really worked hard for our community. He pushed young people to continue his tradition. He helped other people and was involved in politics, sports, you name it. I know Eddie, wherever he is, he is smiling.” In addition to Governor Bryan, Administrator Sanes and Mr. Torres, also attending Thursday’s ceremony were Senator Francis, president of the 33rd Legislature; Public Works Commissioner Nelson Petty Jr.; Assistant Public Works Commissioner Dennis Brow; and Mr. Ortiz’s widow Carmen Villegas, sister Carmen Ortiz, nephew Teleforo Ortiz and other members of Mr. Ortiz’s family. #### TAGS No tags CATEGORIES Uncategorized Previous Next Comments are closed © 2026 Government of the United States Virgin Islands.