Neil ORR

April 8, 1935 - Sept. 11, 2022
Stow - In the early morning hours of Sept. 11, 2022, Neil Edward "Iron" Orr, of Lancaster, Calif. passed of natural causes in Stow, Ohio. He was 87. Neil was a husband who packed a lifetime of love into the few short years he shared with Lynda, as well as a proud veteran who managed the insanity of his time in the Korean War with absurdity, curiosity and empathy that, like his intellect, seemed inexhaustible when others needed it most.
He was a gentleman to strangers, pathologically "fine," soft-spoken, a vehement supporter of the underdog, a voracious reader, a man that quietly wielded acerbic wit and dark humor with the precision of a fishmonger's knife and an admirer of a pretty smile. He also was compassionate, generous, steadfast, a discreet fixer for his family, a creative genius to clients he kept flying under the IRS' radar and someone who did the right thing even when it wasn't "correct."
Iron Orr was a quiet man that celebrated the joy and wild spirits of those he surrounded himself with, always nudging them to go find where their wild things were.
He taught his children to question authority, be empathetic and compassionate, work hard, love fiercely, lead bravely, celebrate failure instead of fearing it and to earn confidence and success by harnessing the abilities and talents unique to each of them. Neil encouraged us to investigate every interest and curiosity we discovered along the way, gifting us loyalty, love, patience, kindness and unapologetic forgiveness only matched by his mule-headed tenacity to do so.
Dad always had mischief in his eyes and was quick with a joke to lighten the load. More importantly, he was one of the few that truly understood the comforting nature of silence, knowing when to let the tears and turmoil exhaust themselves so those in pain could find peace and solace on their own terms.
It is the distinct privilege of your survivors to marshal our grief by carrying your lessons and love into the world. Among us are your children Denise and Victor, Laurie and Tony, Daniel and Tammy, Kevin "Luigi" and Sara; grand- children Anthony and Samantha, Alex, Zachary and Hannah, Eric and Thomas, great-grandchild Dominic, siblings Larry, Tim, Pat, Mike, Maureen, Kath, Dan, Karen, Sharon and Butch. All the nieces and nephews (of note Suzanne, Erin and Tony -- thank you) ... and all the others too numerous (but not forgotten) to mention due to our prolific fertility.
Awaiting you are the loving embraces of your wife Lynda, daughter Andrea, grandson Jon, brother Terry, Mrs. Mom, parents Red and Edith, Jack, Jim, Polly, Bina, uncle "Ed" with his dancing tattoo, Steve and all the friends and family that would take the budget given Gutzon Borglum to list to completion.
We're going to miss you, Pop.