Obituary of Orlando Di Rienzo

Orlando Di Rienzo passed away on June 13, 2023 surrounded by his family.  He was 90 years young.  He was born in Newark, NJ, and moved to Bloomfield, NJ, with his family when he was 8.  

Orlando graduated Bloomfield High School and went on to attend and graduate from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a member of the ROTC at Seton Hall University from 1954-55.  He served in Korea from 1955-1957 as First Lieutenant MP for the 728^th Military Police Battalion.  There he received two letters of commendation and a Distinguished Marksmanship Badge.  He was a coach of the 8^th US Army rifle team and won several medals in marksmanship competitions, of which he was very proud.

Soon after he married the love of his Life, Veronica Lederer, and after several moves and 6 children, they settled in Pottersville, NJ. 

He was a member of the Pottersville Volunteer Fire Company and was president from 1976-1977.  He became a life member in 1988.

Orlando worked for RCA and from there was hired by Paige Electric Company as a Sales Associate.  He was the president of the NJ Irrigation Association and received a lifetime achievement award in 2014. He eventually became Executive Vice President of the Water Department and part owner of Paige Electric Company.  He retired in 2003 to pursue his other interests.

Orlando and Veronica traveled extensively over the years.  He was an avid fisherman.  He was enthusiastic about horse racing and was proud owner of several racehorses.  He loved visiting the tracks and watching his horses run.  He stayed active by buying, selling and racing horses. 

He was predeceased by his parents, Nicolo and Rose Di Rienzo, as well as his four siblings Armando, Angelina, Mary and Mathilde. 

He is survived by his wife Veronica and his 6 children; Stephen and his wife Ellen, Christopher and his wife Christine, Lisa Landers and her husband Timothy, Nancy, Joseph and his wife Ariel, and David and his wife Jennifer, grandchildren; Nicholas, Anna, Mia, Laura, Jack, Nicholas, Molly and Evelyn, and one great granddaughter, Nora.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 19, from 4-8 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main Street, Peapack. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 20, at 10:30 AM at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church, 375 Main St, Chester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Orlando’s memory may be made to  Tunnel to Towers or Wounded Warriers.