Joseph "Papa Joe" D. Orlando

Joe spent his early childhood in New York and then his family moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts. He attended school in Dorchester and then attended Boston Trade High School. After school, he proudly served his country in the United States Naval Construction Battalion, better known as the Navy Seabees. On October 17, 1953, he married the love of his life, Joan, and they were married for 67 wonderful years. They lived in Brockton, where they raised their three sons and daughter.

Joe had a passion for cars and spent his entire life in the automotive industry. The majority of his career was spent at Van Dam Oldsmobile in Brockton where he served as Sales Manager from 1961-1986.

In 1989, Joe and Joan relocated to Seabrook, Texas. Joe loved spending time in his boat on Clear Lake. Each year he looked forward to his many RV trips back to New England and also to Florida to spend time with his children and grandchildren. He also loved cruising in the El Camino and he was the King of the family “football bunker.”

Joe was devoted to his family and was always actively involved in everything that his children did. He didn’t just attend every game or event, he participated with his kids. He spent many a day during the winter driving the kids to Vermont or New Hampshire to ski for the day and then he would drive home at the end of a long, hard day with all the kids asleep in the back of the car. He also loved attending and participating in dirt bike races with his kids. They spent years traveling throughout New England at Enduro/Motorcross races. That passion for racing was passed down to his grandchildren and he had the opportunity to experience that with them.

Joe was a jack of all trades and could fix anything. If you needed something fixed, just call Joe. But above his ability to fix anything, Joe was best known for his friendly demeanor. Joe always had a smile on his face and he never met a stranger. Joe was always there to help anyone and always with a smile, and that will be what is missed most by his family and countless friends.

Joe wore many hats throughout his life, but his favorite, and the one he wore best, was “Papa Joe.”

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Joan; children David Orlando (Cathy), Robert Orlando (Sue), Joseph Orlando (Donna), Jean Fairchild (Todd); grandchildren Robert Orlando (Ellen), Michael Orlando (Jackie), Christopher Orlando (Tricia), Joseph McLennan, Nicole Orlando, Dillon Fairchild, Heather Orlando; great-grandchildren Ryan Orlando, Zach Hall, Natalie Orlando, Elisabeth Orlando, Evan Orlando; sisters Frances Petrusawich, Ann Marie Orlando; brother Frank Orlando.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Edward Orlando.