Anthony John Jordano

On May 2, 2021, Anthony (Tony) Jordano passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 85. Tony was born on July 28, 1935, the son of the late John and Frances Jordano. He was born and attended school in Scranton, PA, and was a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. Tony is survived by his beloved wife Susan Cooper Jordano, four children, Joanne (Eric) Aellen, Julie (Jim) Marks, John, and Jocelyn (Marc) Lewandowski and two step-children, Sally Hart Hunt and Carolyn Stow. He is also survived by his sister, Betty D'Andrea, Scranton, PA. He is preceded in death by his sister, Louise Hubert. He has nine grandchildren, Eric Parker Aellen, Kristen Aellen, Samantha Aellen, Charles (Chip) Draper, Claire Draper, Xavier Jordano, Persephone Jordano, Logan Lewandowski, and Connor Lewandowski, all of whose accomplishments he was always so proud. After college, Tony’s first job was with IBM in Kingston, NY. While at IBM, he was drafted into the Army in 1958 and assigned to the U.S. Army Finance Headquarters in Fort Slocum, NY. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to IBM. When his IBM division was opening a new office in Gaithersburg, MD, he transferred and moved to Rockville, MD with his first wife, Joan Grady Jordano. He built up and managed a large systems-engineering organization, and was very proud of his organization. He was especially proud that more than 50% of his employees were women, which was unheard of at the time, because he believed in hiring the best mathematicians, engineers, and other experts, whether they were women or men. He was then asked to run the system and software engineering program for IBM’s Federal Systems Division (FSD), and enjoyed his work convincing FSD organizations to use the latest system and software engineering processes and tools. When he learned that IBM was going to start teaching program management classes in Europe and Asia, he volunteered and enjoyed traveling, meeting people, and teaching. After 37 years with IBM, he decided to embark on a new professional adventure and joined SAIC, working directly for the COO. For the next 20 years he worked with SAIC sectors to convince them to use the latest systems, software, and engineering. Tony was well known and respected, loved working and loved the people. In his personal life, he was very proud of his children and that he was able to give his children the gift of attending recognized 4-year colleges without having to take out any college loans. In his retirement, he enjoyed an active social life with his beloved wife, Susan, and friends, and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed breakfasts and dinners out, especially a favorite local Italian restaurant, and delighted in eating his favorite chocolate ice cream until the end. He was always selfless and never wanted to be a burden to anyone. The world lost an unforgettable husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, May 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. The family will receive friends in the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. All those attending the Mass are asked to socially distance and are required to wear a mask. A reception will be held in Saint Luke’s Flaherty Hall following the mass. A private internment will held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Saint Luke Catholic Church or the Virginia Hospital Center. To share a memory or to express your condolences to the family, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com.