Orlando R. DeFelice passed away on June 21, 2020 at the age of 65. He was the longest surviving heart transplant recipient from The Johns Hopkins Hospital and in the state of Maryland. Additionally, he was one of the longest heart transplant survivors in the world.
He is survived by his parents Orlando R. DeFelice, Jr. and Rosmonda Mormoni DeFelice and Pam, his loving wife of 41 years. Orlando was predeceased by his sister, Donna Marie. He is survived by his brother Richard, sister Norma Gene and is also survived by a long list of relatives that loved and admired him.
At age 28, a virus attacked Orlando’s heart. A lifesaving heart transplant ensued in 1983 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The transplant doctors gave him a prognosis of “five years at best”. Orlando survived 37 years with his transplanted heart defying all odds. In January of 2010, he received a kidney transplant. Despite these medical challenges he approached each day with gratitude and courage.
A CPA by profession, Orlando worked for 32 years at McCormick & Company where he held various finance positions. Prior to his tenure at McCormick he worked for Commercial Credit.
A cooking and grilling enthusiast, Orlando loved replicating treasured recipes from his Italian heritage. At leisure he enjoyed golfing, biking, traveling and tackling home improvement projects. Orlando was an avid sports fan who loved the Orioles and was a long term Ravens ticket holder. He was lucky enough to celebrate two Super Bowls with his team.
Service to others was a theme that narrated Orlando’s life. In his younger years, he was an Eagle Scout, altar boy and a Eucharistic Minister. After his heart transplant, he dedicated his free time to counseling pre and post heart transplant patients. As an Ambassador for the Living Legacy Foundation he helped promote organ donation and represented the organization at multiple events. Orlando was a featured speaker at organ transplant conferences where he shared his own inspirational story. Most recently he served on the St. Joseph’s school board. The school is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon school and is associated with his parish of 44 years. He was passionate about helping students in need and frequently contributed to the school’s scholarship fund.
The family will receive friends in the LEMMON FUNERAL HOME OF DULANEY VALLEY INC., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, MD 21093 on Friday, June 26, 2-4 & 7-9pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 101 Church Lane, Cockeysville, MD 21030 on Saturday, June 27 at 11am. Interment in the adjoining cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed in memory of Orlando to the St. Joseph School,
c/o Mrs. Maggie Dates, Principal, 105 Church Lane, Cockeysville, MD 21030 or visit www.sjpray.org/giving.
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