Located in front of the former Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel is a memorial plaque dedicated to a young man. The building it resides in fron of is now home to the Whiteney Peak Hotel and is temporarily closed while it undergoes renovation. The plaque reads:
I did some online research and discovered that Maison died in an accident at the Mt. Rose Ski Resort after hitting a tree while walking down an icy mountain with a friend. I found numerous online obits and one reads:
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of Maison T Ortiz. He was tragically taken from us on January 19th, 2011 while snowboarding with his best friend Ryan, who never left his side following the accident.
The world became a brighter place on March 10th, 1995 when Maison was born to Carrie and Tom Ortiz in Reno, Nevada. From early on, until his death, Maison approached life with a smile and an intensely curious nature. He had great love for his family and friends. Nothing made him happier than to spend his time laughing, loving, playing, traveling, eating and exploring with family and friends.
Maison had an uncommon ability to connect with nature, and with all creatures great and small. Maison's innumerable passions included hanging out with his two Golden Retrievers Nellie and Pupper, his cats Tiger and Bibsie, and his bird Trixie. He also loved sports activities; snowboarding, shooting, hiking, biking, quading, fishing swimming, and hunting with his dad, brother, uncle, grandfather and his late great grandfather. Maison had a larger than life spirit and espoused everything he loved as his "favorite".
Maison is survived by his parents Carrie and Tom Ortiz, his brother Chase and his sister Anabella; his grandparents Larry and Marianne Hicks, Tim Burrus and JoAnn Ortiz-Burrus, Great Uncle John Avansino, Aunt Marie DiPietro, Uncle Christopher Hicks, Aunt Amy Harris; all of Reno, Nevada. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Maison was preceded in death by his grandfather Tom N. Ortiz, Sr.
We are blessed to have been inspired by Maison's gentle way, caring nature, sensitivity, and open heart. He was an innocent and giving soul who could have moved mountains in this world had he been given the chance. Maison leaves behind vibrant and wondrous memories for us to cherish and hold close to our hearts forever.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at Trinity Episcopal Church 200 Island Avenue, Reno.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Maison T Ortiz Nevada Bighorns Unlimited-Reno "NBU" scholarship fund, P.O. Box 21393, Reno, Nevada 89515-1393.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Jan. 23 to Jan. 25, 2011
I also found a website that hosts an annual 5k run/walk in memory of Maison at www.irunformaison.com.