Jose Ortega-Nelson

Kingston - Jose Ortega-Nelson died Friday, January 17, 2014 at HealthAlliance Hospital, Broadway Campus. He was 18. He was born in Kingston NY to Irene Gonzalez on July 13,1995. He is the youngest sibling of his biological family. Due to an unfortunate turn of events he went into foster care at a very tender age. Jose was moved multiple times and had lived in over a dozen foster homes before he felt that he would be better served in a residential setting. When he was 13 years old, he moved to a group home in New Paltz, NY operated by In Flight Inc. While he was there, he met a social worker. She saw something special in Jose in spite of his oftentimes disruptive behavior. They spent many hours discussing how Jose wanted a family. He wanted a mother, a father and siblings. He wanted to live in a home. She asked Jose why he never got adopted as he seemed so intent on this goal. She also asked why his former foster care placements didn't work. Jose simply answered "you have to take the wrapper off the candy". Together they worked tirelessly, exploring every available avenue to find him a family but to no avail. When the social worker's daughter died after an extended illness in 2009, she knew it was intended for Jose to join her family. He was finally adopted by the Nelson family on August 19, 2010. Jose was always fun loving, and wanted to help people. He wanted to be a nurse or a phlebotomist. He was extraordinarily compassionate, loving, smart and resourceful. He had a good sense of humor, and loved animals. He loved both his families with so much intensity it consumed him. Jose is survived by his parents Linda M & John R. Nelson, his siblings, Hector Bravo-Nelson, Angel Rodriguez-Nelson, Daniel Kellogg-Nelson and Brenda (Farr) Nelson, Osvaldo Gonzalez, Diana Gonzalez, Jarvin Maldonado, Fabian Gonzalez, & Ivon Gonzalez and his biological mother Irene Gonzalez. His sister Rebecca C. Nelson died previously. Entrusted to the care of A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Ave., Kingston where friends will be received on Thursday from 4 - 7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family Focus Adoption Services, "Chocolate Milk Fund" 54-40 Little Neck Parkway, Suite 4, Little Neck, NY 11362. www.familyfocusadoptions.org . Light a candle in memory of Jose by visiting www.Carrandsonfuneralhome.com .

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