Michael A. Orlandella

Mike was born to parents Raffaele and Antonetta Orlandella on August 19, 1924 in Revere, MA. He was a middle child in a large family with 9 sisters and 5 brothers. Growing up in the depression era, the family worked together to make ends meet and Mike learned the importance of family early on.

As a young man, Mike met and fell in love with Nancy Cappotto, but answered the call of duty and joined the Army in 1942. As part of the greatest generation, he never thought twice and just out of high school, joined the Army to fight in World War II. Mike served in the South Pacific as a radio communications specialist for 4 years, traveling from fox hole to fox hole to keep troops in communication with their base. After 4 years of service, Mike was honorably discharged on February 24, 1946. After being discharged, Mike returned to Revere and continued courting Nancy enjoying getting to know her better. On January 25, 1948, Mike married Nancy at St. Michael’s Church in Revere, MA, starting the beginning of their marriage that lasted 73 years until his death.

After marriage, Mike and Nancy started their journey by moving to Syracuse, New York where Mike accepted a position in electrical communications with General Electric. During their first 10 years in Syracuse, Mike and Nancy welcomed sons Michael, Leonard (Lenny) and Ralph. After Ralph’s birth, Mike was transferred by General Electric to San Diego where shortly after arriving, baby daughter Anita (Nida) was born in the back seat of a Cadillac. San Diego was followed by a brief stint in Omaha, Nebraska, and finally back to the Syracuse area where they settled at 128 Cranberry Drive in Liverpool to continue raising their family.

Mike was a man of many talents, and was happiest when fishing or working on cars with his sons. A man of strong faith and belief in family, Mike was never happier than being surrounded by his children and their families with his wife at his side. Always a hard worker, Mike loved to putter in the basement, and was always fixing something mechanical in the house. During his retirement, Mike joined forces with his son Ralph to work on construction renovations, happily working long hours and again enjoying working with family.

Mike loved to read and listen to music, and enjoyed singing in Italian with his loving wife. An avid sports fan, he loved watching games with Lenny and Nida, cheering on the NY Giants, Boston Red Sox and SU Orange. For Mike, gatherings were wonderful and goodbyes were hard. His trademark “glad to know you” will never be forgotten, as well as his “I love you” sign language at every goodbye. He had a great laugh with a strong sense of humor, and genuinely cared about people.

Mike is survived by his wife Nancy, children Michael (Nancy) Orlandella, Lenny (Joyce) Orlandella, Ralph (Angela) Orlandella, Anita (Rick) Dodge, 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, brother Ralph, sister Rose, and a host of nieces and nephews. Mike is predeceased by his parents and 12 of his 14 sisters and brothers.

No service is planned at this time; a memorial will be scheduled at a later date.