NEW YORK MILITARY YOUTH CADETS INC. Headquarters 42-29 Judge Street Suite #4C Elmhurst, NY, 11373 Phone & Fax: (718) 457-5595 http://www.youthcadets.org BIOGRAPHY Alirio Orduña, father, grandfather, husband, brother, uncle, godfather, former Marine, Cadet Corps Commander, Master Mason, volunteer and friend to many passed away suddenly on Monday, October 30, 2017 at the age of 65. Alirio Orduña, a native of La Paz, Santander del Sur, Colombia, South America. He immigrated to the United States in 1968, at the age of sixteen years old, with his sisters and brother after the death of his parents. He came here to start a new beginning and in 1972, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to be part of the few and the proud; to protect the democracy in his new adopted country. While in the Marine Corps he earned the rank of Corporal, a Marine Corps Noncommissioned Officer. He served his tour of duty and in 1978 he received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps. Corporal Orduña’s military recognitions include; the Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Cold War Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter and Pistol Sharpshooter. Mr. Orduña held an Associates Degree in Applied Science from New York State University and was on the Dean’s honor roll two semesters. He also held an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences and a Bachelors of Science Management “Magna Cum Laude” from Park University. Mr. Orduña also received a certificate from Blackstone School of Law as a Legal Assistant Paralegal. Mr. Alirio Orduña, was committed to helping at risk and socioeconomically disadvantaged youth and in 2000 he founded the New York Military Youth Cadets, a non-profit multicultural 501(c)(3) community based organization. Commander Orduña worked vigorously to bring about a measure of positive social change to residents, both young and old, within the Queens community and received many acclamations for his work and commitment. He influenced the lives of thousands of youths through the New York Military Youth Cadets Corps and provided them with the confidence, direction, and essential leadership skills needed to succeed in life. Throughout the years, Commander Orduña was recognized by many political, military, community and civic organizations for all of his dedication and service to the community, including The White House, the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, several New York State Governor’s, the New York State Senate, the New York State Assembly, several New York City Mayor’s, the New York City Council, the Queens Borough President, the Boy Scouts of America, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Colombian Cultural Center. Alirio was a Master Mason of the York Rite, a member of the United States Marine Corps League, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. Alirio is survived by his son Osbert (USMC Veteran), his daughter in law Liana, his granddaughters Cecilia, Adriana and Angelina; his wife Maria Zoraida, her sons Juan Pablo and Alejo; his siblings Ernestina, Blanca, Luis Adolfo (Colombian Army Veteran), Maria Odalinda, Vidal (USAF Veteran), Maria Candelaria, his nieces, nephews, extended family and his cadet corps family and friends. Reposing at the Kennedy-Roth Funeral Home 41-45 58th Street Woodside, NY. Saturday and Sunday 2-5 and 7-9 PM both days. Funeral service at Saint Marks Church 33-50 82nd Street Jackson Heights, NY 11373. Monday 11AM. Interment to follow at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, Long Island, NY.