Maurice V. Orlando

1923 - 2014

Maurice V. Orlando Mar. 12, 1923 - Apr. 28, 2014 LONGBOAT KEY, FL - Maurice V. Orlando, 91, passed away quietly at his home in Longboat Key, FL on April 28, 2014. He was born March 12, 1923 in Stonington, to Antonio and Victoria (Danesi) Orlando. He grew up in the Borough and graduated from Stonington High School where he had been an outstanding athlete. In 1950 he married Ida Findeisen. She predeceased him in June, 2008. They had one son, Stephen A. Orlando, who also predeceased his father in November, 2005. Mo served in the Army Corp of Engineers during World War II and was stationed in the Phillipines. When he returned to the states he worked for Bostich in Pawcatuck. He later went to work for Douglas Randall, also located in Pawcatuck and then on to the Walter Kidde Co. Through the years he continued to develop his engineering skills and his marketing and sales ability. Mo was a visionary, and in 1966 founded he and launched his own business, Ortronics in Norwich. He utilized his engineering background to design, build and patent his own assembly line machinery that manufactured electrical coils and wire harnesses. In 1970, his son Stephen, joined the company eventually to become President and CEO. Through the 1970's, Ortronics continued to develop new products in the assemblage of cables, cards and blocks for Regional Bell Operating Companies. In 1978, Ortronics expanded and grew moving into the data communications market. In the 1990's, they expanded their product line into multi-media packages and became a globally recognized company with international operations in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Cost Rica and the Caribbean. In 1998, Ortronics was sold to Legrand, a French- based electronics conglomerate. Mo enjoyed boating and fishing adventures with his myriad of friends in Newport, RI, Block Island, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. He was also an avid golfer and played in several pro-am events including his memorable round with Arnold Palmer in Augusta, GA. He is survived by his sister, Albina Logan, of Pawcatuck, a step-daughter, Margaret Pescatello, a step-son, Roland Otto, and five grandchildren, Alexandria Orlando, Stephen Orlando, Jeffrey Pescatello, Carolyn Johnson and Ami French. The family will hold a celebration of life later in the Spring. Donations should be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238.