Francesco "Frank" Orlando

Francesco (Frank) Orlando, 88, of Mason, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2011. He was born on March 17, 1923 in Montalto Uffugo, Calabria, Italy. He was the son of Giorgio Orlando and Emilia (Novello) Orlando. After serving his country during World War II, Frank came to the United States in 1951 where he married Jean DeRosa on July 11, 1953. For more than 50 years they grew their family and businesses in the Lansing area. Frank ran DeRosa’s Grocery with his brother-in-law Valentino DeRosa, opened Mason Foodland in 1959 and co-founded FunTyme Adventure Parks (Mason, Grand Ledge and Okemos) in 1969. A devout Catholic, Frank established the San Francesco di Paola Society in Lansing, and made several religious pilgrimages throughout his life. Frank was a skilled craftsman who loved gardening, nature, and above all, spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Jean, of 57 years; five children: Greg (Anna) Orlando, Annette (Harry) Stampler, Anthony (Gina) Orlando, Paul Orlando, Val (Tina) Orlando; 15 grandchildren: Francis, Matthew, Jennifer, Andrew, Michelle, Jonathan, Emily, Olivia, Giorgio, Valentino and Lucas Orlando, and Tyler, Jordan, Brianna and Christian Stampler. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 29 at St. James Catholic Church, with an entombment to follow at St. Joseph Catholic cemetery with Father Kusitino Cobona officiating. A visitation will be held 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:30 P.M., on Monday, March 28, at St James Catholic Church 1010 S. Lansing, Mason, Michigan. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Mason Chapel.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Ingham County Medical Care Facility, Dobie Road for their excellent care.

On-line condolences may be made at www.gorslineruncimanmason.com