VETERAN TURF WRITER BORTSTEIN DIES AT 67, WROTE FOR O.C. REGISTER, CAL
BREEDERS
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2010)—Veteran turf writer Larry Bortstein passed away
early Sunday morning at Arcadia Methodist Hospital after sustaining a pulmonary
embolism Jan. 23. Bortstein, 67, never regained consciousness and had been on
life support since being transported to Methodist following the embolism.
A native of New York, Bortstein was a versatile writer who covered horse racing
for the Orange County Register for the past 17 years and had covered all major
sports at various times over the past 40-plus years. In addition to his work at
the Register, he was also a current contributor to the “California Thoroughbred”
magazine, which is published by the California Thoroughbred Breeders
Association.
“He was a consummate pro,” said former L.A. Herald Examiner sports writer and
current Santa Anita publicity staffer Jack Disney. “Larry was very passionate
about racing and the people in it. He was always for the underdog and he had a
broad network of sources.
“Larry overcame a lot. He was sight-impaired and had to depend on other people
to transport him to the track, or to whatever sports venue he may be covering,
be it a high school game or a major league baseball game. He was good-hearted
and he was extremely conscientious. He’ll be missed.”
In addition to sports, Bortstein also had a passion for music, and in particular
singing. He was a member of a barbershop harmony group and had sung
professionally to help support his family since he was a small boy.
Bortstein is survived by his wife, Pat, a son, Steven, daughter Christy and
grandson, Jeff. Memorial services are pending according to Pat Bortstein.