Joseph Thomas Orlando

Our dear Joe passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 21st at home surrounded by his loving family. Diagnosed with cancer twelve years ago, Joe shocked his doctors and everyone else with his strong will to survive and spend more time with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren.

Joe was a proud member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 18. For over twenty-five years he worked building various landmarks in the Niagara region and beyond, plying his trade as far away as Alberta. Forced to retire early due to his illness, he enjoyed playing foreman, helping his friends and family with projects, and passing on his knowledge and experience.

Joe loved music, despite an inability to keep time or carry a tune! He was a record collector and loved nothing more than going to concerts. He always picked up an extra ticket for a show, and would call friends out of the blue at the last minute to go with him.

Joe was the loving and devoted husband of his childhood sweetheart Jane for 46 years. He was the proud father of Amy and her husband Todd, and Joey and his wife Britt. The biggest joy in Joe’s life was being “Crazy Hair Papa” to Gregory, Claire and Charlie. They brought him immense joy, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He took each of them on many camping trips and adventures to his hometown of Timmins and all throughout Northern Ontario.

Joe was born on January 1st, 1959, in Timmins to his loving parents Ernie (2001) and Helen (2021) Orlando. From them he gained his love of hockey, the outdoors, music and good books (of which he always had at least three on the go). Joe was the dear brother of Barb and her husband Al, Dean and his wife Michelle, Terry and her husband Pierre and Cathy and her husband Sanjiv. For over twenty years, Joe cared for his youngest brother Bobby, who passed away in 2024. Another person Joe considered a brother was his cousin Jack who shared his love for the outdoors and adventure.

Joe will be mourned by Jane’s siblings Stephen and his wife Karen, Scott and his wife Anne and Sue and her husband Chris. He is predeceased by his loving in-laws John (2022) and Margaret (2023) Swallow.

Joe also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whose lives he always took an interest in. Barb’s children Michael and Jennifer, grew up alongside Amy and Joey and had many special times with their Uncle Joe.

Joe made friends wherever he went. He was authentic, outgoing and loved to talk (mostly about politics, religion and his grandkids). He leaves behind many friends, even as he goes to join many who went before him and who he missed dearly. We want to thank all his friends, especially Al Factley, Dave Coulis and Rob Watters, for all their phone calls and visits to keep him encouraged and laughing right up to the end.

Joe was able to stay in the home he built until the end, which was very important to him because of the excellent care he received from Dr. Manser and his nurses Colleen and Jocelyn who became like family to us. Words cannot express how deeply we appreciate them.

The family will receive friends at Patterson Funeral Home, 6062 Main Street, Niagara Falls, on Sunday July 5 from 1-3 & 6-8 p.m. A service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. Joe cared deeply for the homeless population and the down-and-out. As an expression of sympathy, those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Community Hub Food Bank (thehopecentre.net). Memories, photos, and condolences may be made at www.pattersonfuneralhome.com

Joe was a good faithful husband, father and friend. He thought deeply about matters of ultimate importance and was always true to himself no matter the cost. He was greatly loved and will be sadly missed. It’s hard to say goodbye. But Joe didn’t like to say goodbye anyway. So, we will send him off as he used to, quoting Bob Dylan: “We’ll meet again someday on the Avenue.”