Obituary of Louis Michael Orlando

Freehold, NJ — Louis M. Orlando, age 74, died Tuesday at The Manor Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. Mr. Orlando is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Patricia Kennedy Orlando, his two daughters: Tricia Orlando Zichello, and Michele Krutoy and his sons in law, Daniel V. Zichello and Vycheslav Krutoy. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Matthew Krutoy, Emilia Zichello, Nathan Krutoy and Hayleigh Zichello. Lou was a graduate of St. Peter's Boys High School, Staten Island, NY and Adelphi University and was a veteran of the United States Navy where he served as a diver on the U.S.S Paiute, ATF 159 in the early 1960s. He was born in Perth Amboy, NJ and grew up in Tottenville then moved to Dongan Hills, Staten Island before marrying Patricia in 1968. He was the eldest son of John C. And Mary A. Orlando (both deceased). As a young man, Lou worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He left his position to open Carwin Auto Parts in Dongan Hills which he owned and operated through the early 1980s. He taught machine shop at Tottenville High School and McKee Technical High School. He was a master mechanic and also taught at Apex Technical in Manhattan. Lou worked for Mack Trucks and eventually as a Senior Purchasing Manager at the New York City Department of General Services and Deputy Director of Fleet for the City of New York Department of Environmental Protection in LeFrak City, Quuens. He retired from DEP due to his health in the late 1990s. Lou's passion was business and learning new things. He was the first to tell his children about a new thing called social media. When his declining health prevented him from commuting into Queens, Lou opened his home based business, New York Accommodations Centre which he owned and operated for almost 20 years. Lou was a forward thinker and enjoyed listening to positive mental attitude and motivational speakers like Les Brown, Tony Robbins and especially Dr. Robert Schuller whose "Turn your scars into stars!" quotes was a favorite as well as "Inch by inch anything's a cinch." This positive attitude and support could be heard in his loud and enthusiastic, "Go, go, go!" from the sidelines of his daughters' soccer and softball games, swim meets and even from the audience of their musical perfomances throughout the years. A life long Roman Catholic, Lou was a Third Degree (and founding) member of the Knights of Columbus, Father John C. Drumgoole Council #5917, Staten Island. He and his wife, Patricia were members of Holy Child parish on Staten Island and later St. Gabriel's parish, Marlboro, NJ. They made a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in 1986 and were active members for 30 years. They also taught pre-cana classes at Monsignor Farrell high school for many years. Lou served his community in many ways, including as the Vice-President of the Staten Island Heart Foundation and he was influential in choosing the first ambulance for the foundation. He was also one of the founders of the Wayne Orlando Cardiac Library at Staten Island Hospital. He owned an ice cream truck route behind the Staten Island Mall for several years and when kids could not afford a cone, he'd allow them to trade the golf balls they collected near the golf course for their favorite ice cream treat. Lou was a big fan of do wop music and anything with great harmonies. The family often listened to CBS-101 FM, the New York Oldies station. At age 70, he joined the Chorus of the Atlantic, a men's acapella barbershop chorus, Red Bank, NJ. He and his daughter, Tricia had the opportunity to sing together when her chorus made a guest appearance on his show. A proud veteran, Lou was a member of American Legion, James J. Tappan Post, Staten Island and served as their historian. Lou was often seen proudly wearing a US Navy shirt or hat. When he was younger Lou loved to ride motorcycles and even built his own car from a kit. He enjoyed fishing and golfing and hunted with both rifle and bow and arrow. He and Patricia loved spending time together and would often decide on the spur of the moment to "go for a ride". The explored all over the northeast together and loved finding out of the way restaurants, places to shop etc., that soon became family favorites. One of Lou's favorite things was to spend time with his family. He loved playing with the grandchildren, teaching them their letters, numbers, shapes and colors, etc. He especially loved nature and gardening and would teach his daughters and grandchildren the names of different plants...holding up four fingers was a hint for forsythia and two fingers in front of his mouth was "tulips". Lou was creative which showed in the making his own Halloween costumes (like the year he was the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz with actual tin), building a faux brick wall for a school show or even realistic faux blood made from red tape for the Easter Passion play. He was a prankster and enjoyed sneaking up on his unsuspecting wife to scare her. He loved to laugh until tears rolled down his cheeks. Lou lived life fully and did nothing in half measures. His powerful but gentle presence will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Services are as follows: Thursday, April 13, 2017 9:30am to 10:30am Visitation at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Freehold, NJ. Immediately following at 10:30am will be a Catholic Mass at St. Rose of Lima-Freehold, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Worldwide Marriage Encounter at www.wwme.org.