Orlando Antonio Arana

Dr. Orlando A. Arana was born on May 20, 1925, to Francisco Arana Monzon and Rita Maria Lopez Gavilan-Arana. He was his parents’ only child, but had nine older siblings from his father’s previous marriage. Despite his large family, he was never one to get lost in the crowd – a quality that would define his long and storied life as a husband, father, surgeon, pilot, soldier, sailor, and so much more.

Growing up in Matanzas, on Cuba’s northern shore, Orlando spent his days on and around boats, instilling in him a love for the ocean that never waned. He attended medical school at the University of Havana, graduating in 1951. During the Cuban revolution, he defended his country and his principles, as a military physician and a soldier. He subsequently emigrated to the United States, where he spent nearly six decades as a proud American.

Orlando had a passion for flying: as a certified pilot, he had a great many exciting – sometimes a little too exciting – adventures among the clouds. He was also an avid rider of Harley Davidsons – the louder, the better. And during his 62-year career as a highly respected general surgeon and, later, as a general practitioner, he saved countless lives.

But perhaps Orlando’s crowning achievement was his family, whom he loved fiercely. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Suelena, who truly was the love of his life, as well as five daughters, Silvia, Cindy, Kassi, Ashley, and Whitney; two sons, Orlando, Jr., and Tony; and nine grandchildren. He will be deeply missed, but his family and friends are comforted by the knowledge that few can boast lives as long and full as Orlando A. Arana.