It was First Friday in Old City Philadelphia, November 2012, and the usual crowds were weaving in and out of the open storefronts, taking in original art, enjoying wine and cheese. William Ortiz, a fine artist and avid photographer from Lancaster, was exhibiting a couple of his paintings at one of the art galleries.
Robert Moskowitz, an interior designer and a lifelong Philadelphian, was also out that night, enjoying the scene and searching for the perfect painting as a gift for a friend. He zeroed-in on one of Ortiz’s works, and took his business card so they could arrange the purchase.
Ortiz returned to Harrisburg, where he lived at the time. He and Moskowitz kept in touch. They became Facebook friends. They corresponded constantly.
By that Christmas, Moskowitz had bought Ortiz an open-ended train ticket to visit him in Philly. Ortiz loved the Philly vibe and, even more, he loved Moskowitz. He loved Moskowitz’s mom. He loved Moskowitz’s friends.
The feeling was overwhelmingly mutual. Two months later, they loaded up a moving van with Ortiz’s things and were never apart from that point.
Unquestionably, Moskowitz said, Ortiz was his other half.
“Willie was the love of my life because I knew from the moment I met him that our hearts and souls were meant to be together. An intimacy I had never experienced before and will likely never experience again.”
Ortiz would have celebrated his 43rd birthday on March 7. Instead, his husband and friends-like-family toasted in his honor. On Jan. 12, the multitalented artist died from complications of a stroke.
The sudden loss of such a lively presence left Moskowitz, 48, and the couple’s many close friends and business associates stunned.
The couple had fused not only their lives but their professions: Moskowitz, a well-known interior designer, owned Society Hill Design Group and brought Ortiz aboard to create websites, take photos and handle development for small businesses, Realtors and landlords. For a time, the pair even established a storefront called French Bleu on East Passyunk Avenue, selling high-end furniture and fixings to the general public.
Two months later, as Moskowitz tries to cope and carry on, he reflects on the many things he misses about his husband: “How he made me a better person. How I was better (in life) with him than I am without him. How he supported me and loved me like my parents do. And how he would spend 45 minutes in the shower with the music blasting. And come home with a random disco-ball lightbulb. And make me breakfast in bed on Sunday mornings.”
Shortly before the couple met, Moskowitz’s beloved father died. He credits Ortiz with helping him get through one of the toughest times of his life.
“He was definitely sent to me,” said Moskowitz, adding that Ortiz is again helping him to cope with a devastating loss, his own.
“I think Willie is helping me get through my grief, because what I learned from him in life was that no matter what life gives us, whatever the setbacks, we keep moving forward. Of course I expected we would move forward together. But he holds me up and helps me move forward on my own.”
He borrowed his husband’s favorite hashtag phrase to describe his lingering influence: “Willie keeps me in #beastmode.”
Moskowitz is hosting a “Willebration” — a celebration of his husband’s life — at his residence March 12. More than 100 loved ones are expected to attend. The event is private.