Onofrio Vincent "Dusty" Orlando, a decorated World War II veteran, named the Town of Hempstead's Veteran of the Year in 2005, died on April 13. He was 85 years old, and had battled cancer for 15 months.
A first-generation American citizen, Orlando was born in Manhattan to Grace and Vito Orlando. He was drafted into the military in 1943, becoming part of the 35th Infantry Division, 60th Engineering Battalion, serving three years in Europe and rising to the rank of special operations reconnaissance Staff Sergeant. He survived five campaigns, including Normandy, the Ardennes, and Northern and Central Europe. He received the Bronze Star Medal for heroism after a battle in which he saved soldiers and civilians from enemy fire by stopping enemy tanks from firing on his battalion.
His family said that after liberating concentration camps, Orlando would always give whatever water and food he had to the freed prisoners.
Following the war, Orlando enrolled at New York University, obtaining a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering, and a Masters Degree in Engineering. He went to work for the famous piano makers Steinway and Sons, and also served on the Board of Directors for the Brooklyn Engineers Club.
The piano would continue to play a significant role in Orlando's life, as he often gave concerts for hospitalized veterans. For 46 years, he was an active member of American Legion Post 1087 (Cathedral Post) in West Hempstead. He was post Commander in 1966 and 1991 and also served as treasurer. He was particularly active with the rehabilitation program and the children and youth program.
"As a member of the community, he was very active in the American Legion and helping disabled veterans," said his son Donald Orlando. "He used to take them to religious services on Saturdays and Sundays. After he got back from the service, he never forgot. He would literally do anything for any veteran, any war. He was great like that."
Over the years, he also coached Little League Baseball as well as played and coached semi-professional football, and was the Cub Master for a Cub Scout pack sponsored by Cathedral Post. West Hempstead High School named a college scholarship for him in the early 1980s.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marianne, and their four children, Steven, Bill, Donald and Kathy, as well as six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The Orlando family has lived in West Hempstead for more than 50 years.
"We are all so lucky to have had a perfect husband, perfect father and beautiful human being like Dusty in our lives," his family said in a letter to the Herald. "We will forever be grateful to him for his protection over us and his love and adoration. His love for human life and his compassionate soul will live on with his family and continue for generations to come."
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