Obituary of Edward A. Orlando, Sr.

~~Edward (Ed) A. Orlando, Sr., Manhasset, NY, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, May 30th at the age of 85 surrounded by his loving family.   Ed was born in Pietrelcina, Italy and lived just over a hill from a blessed saint, Santo Pio.  The Orlando family were well known in their small village which has since become a sought-after pilgrimage destination since the beatification of Padre Pio.  Ed’s father, Nicola, donated a church bell for the small chapel where Padre Pio first said mass on his family’s farm in Pietrelcina. Stories of the relationship between Padre Pio and the Orlando family are endless. After the passing of his father Nicola, Ed honored their family legacy by sharing Padre Pio’s glove in a pilgramage to give faith and hope to anyone who requested it.

Ed owned his own contracting company, which eventually expanded to three separate companies in College Point, NY.  Edward
was a loyal member of St. Mary’s Parish, Manhasset for over 50 years.  He, along with a few close friends, donated a life-sized statue of Padre Pio that now sits on the side of St. Mary’s Church.  Ed was adored by his friends and family, and his life was recently enhanced by the birth of his great grandson, Cormac Thomas Burke, April, 2016.   

Ed is survived by his sister, Jennie Matteo, his three children, Edward, Jr., Sharon McCormack (Jim), Donna Travers (Tom) and six grandchildren – Elizabeth, Emily-Anne, Tom, Brian, Mary Claire and Katherine.  He was predeceased by the love of his life, Anne Begley, in 2013 and youngest son, Thomas, in 2003.  He will be forever remembered as one of the finest men anyone has ever known.

Edward will be waked at Fairchild Sons Inc. 1570 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, NY 11030 on Friday, June 2, from 2 - 5pm and 7 – 9pm.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1600 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, NY 11030 at 10am, Saturday, June 3rd.