Former City Resident and Current Clarksburg Mission Director Lou Ortenzio to Retire from Post on Oct. 2
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on September 21, 2023
Clarksburg Mission Executive Director, Lou Ortenzio, announced his retirement this week. Ortenzio has been a pillar of the Mission community since 2009.
Ortenzio, a former long-time resident of Bridgeport now living in Clarksburg, has been Executive Director of the Clarksburg Mission since 2019. He previously served for ten years as Director of Ministry. When asked how his perspective on his work at the Mission has changed 
over the course of a decade, Ortenzio said, “At first, I assumed that this ministry would be a lot like working for a social service organization, but it is so much more. It is a sacred calling. It involves deep relationships among staff, residents, and the wider community.”
over the course of a decade, Ortenzio said, “At first, I assumed that this ministry would be a lot like working for a social service organization, but it is so much more. It is a sacred calling. It involves deep relationships among staff, residents, and the wider community.”
During his tenure, Ortenzio helped the Mission to make important improvements and changes. In 2017, two sober living homes in downtown Clarksburg were added to the Mission’s ministry in addition to the Glen Elk campus. Ortenzio led the Mission staff and residents through the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He oversaw the revitalization of the Mission’s buildings, with newly painted facades, a renovated kitchen, and the recent completion of a mural on the outside wall facing Route 50. Ortenzio represented the Clarksburg Mission at the CNN Town Hall: America Addicted with Anderson Cooper in March of 2023. He also frequently addressed the issues of homelessness and addiction on local, national and international media, including ABC, The Atlantic, and Le Monde.
Prior to his work at the Mission, Ortenzio was a family medical doctor from 1979 until 2006. Referred to as “Doc O,” he was beloved by many of his patients and had a reputation for being an exceptionally caring doctor. In 1993, he established Health Access, a free clinic where uninsured individuals could receive care.
During these years however, he also developed a personal addiction to pain medication, and in 2006, he lost his medical license due to fraudulent prescribing. Yet, as Sam Quinones wrote of Ortenzio in his book, The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time 
of Fentanyl and Meth, “[Lou] was the first to publicly work at his own recovery without shame.” Ortenzio bridged the gap between his medical practice and his work at the Mission by joyfully taking jobs in landscaping, maintenance, sales, and delivering pizzas for a local restaurant.
of Fentanyl and Meth, “[Lou] was the first to publicly work at his own recovery without shame.” Ortenzio bridged the gap between his medical practice and his work at the Mission by joyfully taking jobs in landscaping, maintenance, sales, and delivering pizzas for a local restaurant.
By 2012, Ortenzio also completed a Master’s Degree in Biblical Theology from West Virginia Christian University. He was eager to share the gifts of hope and Christian faith that he had gained in his recovery. Speaking of his commitment to this kind of work, Ortenzio said, “People call it recovery, but really it’s discipleship. It’s sanctification. The opposite of addiction is connection. And when you’ve been given this gift, it’s something that you’ve got to give to others. When we are generous, gratitude results. Kindness goes far [in this kind of work].”
Upon retiring, Ortenzio looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Donetta, and his family. He hopes to continue to be an active member of the Clarksburg community, volunteering his time and recovery expertise. Mission Board President, Jarrod Marozzi, reflected on Ortenzio’s steadfast commitment to the organization and its vision of helping those in need. "We are so grateful for Lou Ortenzio’s service to the Clarksburg Mission and to the community that we love. His selfless example is an inspiration, and we are blessed to know Lou as a friend, mentor, and hero. We are comforted knowing Lou will continue serving alongside us in the future and wish him the best in retirement.” Ortenzio’s retirement will take effect on Monday, October 2, 2023. Desi Underwood, current Assistant Director, is appointed as interim director.
