ELKHART -- Librado Figueroa-Ortiz, 77, of Elkhart, died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 26, 2010) in his home.

He was born July 15, 1932, in Cidra, Puerto Rico, to Francisco Figueroa and Juana Ortiz. In 1954, he married Maria E. Cotto-Ortiz in Cayey, Puerto Rico.

She survives along with three sons, Jose A. Figueroa and Nelson (Nelie) Figueroa, both of Cayey, and William (Carmen) Figueroa of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; three daughters, Nilda I. (Jose) Figueroa of Elkhart, Maria Milagros Figueroa of Cayey and Sonia Figueroa of Lajas, Puerto Rico; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jose L. Figueroa of Cayey; and one sister, Maria Figueroa of Cayey.

He was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.

Mr. Figueroa-Ortiz was a truck driver most of his adult life. An avid baseball fan, he loved to watch his grandson play semi-professional baseball in Puerto Rico for the Cayey home team. He enjoyed the Chicago Cubs and spending time with his family and friends sharing stories about his past exploits.

Mr. Figueroa-Ortiz was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War who also served in Germany and Panama.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting with local arrangements. Mr. Figueroa-Ortiz is scheduled to be returned to Cayey for services and burial at a later date.

Arrangements in Cayey are with the Cayey Memorial Funeral Home, (787) 738-3138.