Esteban Ordonez was born in Ecuador on October 21st 1978 and exited this earth on July 15th 2025 at home surrounded by his loved ones. 46 years of his life were filled with passion, love and helping others with wide open arms.

Esteban is survived by his wife Azusa, his children Kaitlin and Ryu, his mother Maria, his siblings Vanessa and Eli -all who just became one with him.

Since his early years, Esteban filled the hearts of his family with joy, his adventurous instinct brought excitement wherever he went. Always had a joke to crack and a smile on his face. After moving to NY in the early 90s, he became involved in what he loved; fashion, hospitality and cuisine. By the early 2000s, he was working at renowned retailers and then moved on to the hospitality industry where he thrived and his talent was caught by so many others all over NY but didn’t stop there. He expanded to different continents and launched his company International Cocktail Group and traveled over 30 countries as a consultant, a teacher and a student influencing the industry with his passion and talent all over the world. After he supported others building their restaurants and bars, his dream of owning his mixology bar in NY, Burning Waters Cantina was opened in 2013. Alongside, he expanded as brand ambassador for global brands creating brand awareness and promoting brand advocacy, developing and creating cocktail recipes for portfolio, brand sales, marketing and media opportunities, educating distributors, salesforce and staff at top tier on premise accounts and retailers.

He enjoyed and loved food and drinks, music, cars and motorcycles, traveling and his tattoos. At home, he was a beloved son, husband, father and brother, great cook of any cuisine, always looking for something new to prepare and share with his family. Driving around the city and walking around lower Manhattan, finding and feeling NYC was always his family’s favorite. Eating soup dumplings at Big Wong in China town to have a seafood tower and crab cake by the water in Greenport Long Island will always remain to be a family tradition.

The last 8 months of his life were painful for him and his family. As a warrior, he fought till the end and now he is free of pain and able to rest in peace. We are asking you to keep him in your heart and talk to him.

“Death does not exist, people die only when they are forgotten, remember him and he will always be with you.” In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for support by making a donation to the GOFUNDME, please click the link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-esteban-ordonez-home-kidnapped-tortured-recovering