- Date Of Birth: March 29, 1927
- Date Of Death: January 6, 2022
- State: Connecticut
Rocco Orlando, 94, passed away peacefully at home in Hamden of Alzheimer’s disease, with his family by his side, on January 6, 2022. Beloved husband of the late Rae Rose Coppola Orlando, he was born in New Haven on March 29, 1927, the son of the late Rocco and Palmina (Riccardi) Orlando. Rocco was educated in New Haven and left Hillhouse High School when he turned 18 during his graduation year to join the Navy and train as a naval aviator in torpedo bombers.
Rocco’s career was dedicated to education — he had a long association with the Amity Regional Schools – serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal of the Orange Junior High School, Amity High School and Assistant Superintendent.
Rocco was dedicated to the Greater New Haven community and demonstrated this with his leadership and participation in many community organizations including the Italian American Historical Society of Connecticut, the New Haven Scholarship Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven.
Most important, Rocco was the anchor for his extended family. With his partner and soulmate Rae, they advised and cared for many. Central to his core was his total devotion to Rae and his commitment to caring for her when she developed M. S. They were always together, always sharing their lives and love. He passed his love of learning on to his children and grandchildren. He and Rae had a deep love of travel – beginning with lengthy family road trips across the United States and Mexico. On a trip to Italy in the 1960’s, Rocco re-connected with Italian family members leading to long lasting relationships with family in Italy and Australia – traveling often to remain in touch. In 1969, he led the family on a non-stop drive to Florida to witness the take-off of the Saturn V rocket that carried Apollo 11 to the moon. In their later years, Rocco and Rae were avid cruise ship devotees – including a multigenerational cruise to Alaska with children and grandchildren. Rocco is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Dr. Rocco Orlando, III and Joanne Papanek Orlando of South Glastonbury, his daughter and son-in-law Lisa Orlando Parisi and Michael J. Parisi of Cheshire as well as his grandchildren Rocco Orlando, IV (Katie Moran), Alexander Orlando and Laura Parisi and great granddaughters Brooke and Willow Orlando, his brother-in law and his wife Dr. Paul J. and Eileen Coppola of Madison and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of the Memory Support Unit at Whitney Center, the BrightStar caregivers and Connecticut Hospice for their outstanding care.
