Antonino Orlando

Born in Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1968, moving to Grasmere, and began working in construction for Gulli Inc., also in Grasmere.

After retiring 20 years ago, Mr. Orlando had time to spend long hours in his garden, where he enjoyed growing tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers and many other vegetables. His wife, the former Lucia Paternostro, used them in her cooking, and he often shared the bounty with friends.

He was fond of discussing Italian and U.S. politics and also enjoyed chopping wood for his fireplace, which he did until about two years ago, his family said.

Kind and gentle, Mr. Orlando "was an oldtimer, was old-fashioned,’’ said his daughter, Maria Smith. “He was a loving father and grandfather.’’

Along with Lucia, his wife of 60 years, and his daughter, Maria, Mr. Orlando is survived by his son, Peter, and two grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sylvester’s R.C. Church, Concord. Entombment will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Arrangements under the direction of Virginia Funeral Chapel, Staten Island, NY.