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Richard Orloski Obituary
His dad was a small town coal miner in northeast Pennsylvania who encouraged his children to "get their sheepskin." When the time came to apply for college, his parents, ever the pragmatists, told him to pick the one school he wanted to attend because they weren't going to waste money on two application fees. He sent out only one application to King's College and graduated in 1968.
He loved to debate, so law school was the next logical step, graduating from Cornell Law School in 1971. He always hated the cold Ithaca winters, but he followed the love of his life, Kathy Law to Michigan upon his graduation while she obtained her advanced degrees, clerking for the Michigan Court of Appeals.
The newlyweds returned to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he worked as a Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and from there to the District Attorney's Office in Lehigh County. He drew upon that latter experience to publish Criminal Law: An Indictment in 1977, focusing on the need for criminal justice reform a generation before it was fashionable.
He was active in Democratic politics though never as successfully as he might have liked. He often wryly commented that everyone forgot to mention the election that he did win as a delegate for Gary Hart in the 1984 Democratic Convention in San Francisco. Fortunately for many clients, his talents were not channeled into a political career. He earned a reputation as a bulldog attorney, taking on cases that others wouldn't.
A newspaper columnist once accused him of being, "one of the Lehigh Valley's top dynamos of tort litigation" intended as a slight, which he took as a compliment. He treated his clients as if they were his family, routinely giving out his house phone number so that he would be available at their convenience, not his. He instilled the value of hard work and education in each of his five children, two of whom followed him into the practice of law. Whether it was the Parkinson's Disease or the love of his eight grandchildren that prevented him from retiring to a warmer climate is not open for serious debate. He never lost his youthful enthusiasm or his love of fly fishing, gardening, and photography, the common theme of these hobbies is that he took pride in producing and sharing.
Funeral mass will be at St. Thomas More on Friday, January 31, on what would have been his 73rd birthday. Calling hours begin at the Church at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Duryea, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Disease research organization of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Orloski
Sponsored by karen A Orloski.
Nancy Pope
January 28, 2022
Happy birthday in heaven, cousin! Your legacy lives on.
TONY COVELLO
January 27, 2022
SUCH A BIG LOSS TO OUR COUNTRY. A MAN LIKE HIM WAS CLOSE TO A SAINT. GOD BLESS HIM AND MAY HE RIP IN HEAVEN.....TONY
Kim Oliver
January 24, 2021
It can’t believe it’s a year already. You will always be remembered. He was an awesome man. Rest In Peace Rick. You are truly missed.
TONY COVELLO
January 23, 2021
ONE OF THE GREATEST LOSS OFF OUR LIVES, HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED......RIP RICK......
Drake Minder
March 3, 2020
What a shock, he was a god send to me in a time in need. My deepest condolences to the family.
Cioci Sabina (godmother) & little Ricky❤
Nancy Pope
February 17, 2020
Rich and Lana Nalichowski
February 12, 2020
Our condolences on your family's loss,
February 7, 2020
Emil Giordano
February 6, 2020
An honest man and great advocate for clients he will be missed by all that knew him . Deepest sympathies to the entire Orloski family .
Nancy Pope
February 3, 2020
May he rest in peace.
Jim Johnston
February 2, 2020
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the Orloski family. I had the privilege of litigating many cases against Rick. I was always struck by his selfless devotion and commitment to his clients. He was a tireless and fearless advocate, and a good man whose word was his bond. May he rest in peace.
February 2, 2020
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of this wonderful husband, father, brother and friend to many. He will be in our prayers.
Jerry & Cathy Champi
John Koons
February 2, 2020
Farewell my old friend.May Rick R.I.P.
February 1, 2020
Nick and Rose Harvilla
February 1, 2020
Our sincerest sympathies for the loss of your husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather.
He was truly a great man, and an inspiration to all who had the pleasure to know him. To our family he was a hero; a knight in shining armor.
He championed on our behalf against a former adversary, that he personally knew well. My husband developed health issues, which his employer knew would be progressive and lifelong; so he was let go from his job. Attorney Orloski was like a guardian angel at that time in our lives. He was not only an advocate & protector, but a true friend to us.
This was over 20 years ago, but one memory we have was when Attorney Orloski drove us to & from a court hearing in Philadelphia. He bought us lunch, and offered us some words of advice; knowing we were nervous about the hearing. He made us feel at ease, and treated us like family. That's the kind of individual he was. No other attorney would do that for his clients.
His litigation skills were exceptional. Although we eventually settled out of court. He will always be fondly remembered by us. Our prayers are with you & your family at this time. If there is anything we can do for you and your family - please let us know. Our community has lost a champion, but Heaven has gained an angel. RIP Attorney Orloski
Swapnesh Sharma
January 31, 2020
No words are enough for you Mr. Rick. You were our father figure person. Your loss will not be replacement in our life. We will always miss you and remember you for your great helping nature for every person, who comes to you, Including me.
My Love, respect is always there with you and Orlaski Family..
Ashley (Jones) Dayoub
January 31, 2020
I had the pleasure of working for Rick for three years. He was the first person willing to give me a shot fresh out of college. Rick taught me many things about not only the law but about myself as well.
RJO gave me one of my favorite pieces of advice (over some Yoccos hot dogs) that I strive to live by. You don't quit trying until they make you! Rick lived by his own advice not only through his passionate practice of law, but in his personal life.
I was so sad to hear of his passing and my condolences go to the entire Orloski family. Your husband/father/grandfather was a great man who loved his family more than anything. He was very proud of his children and nothing lit his face up faster than asking him about his grandkids. I hope you find comfort in knowing that Rick touched the lives of many, including mine.
Danny Jarrah
January 31, 2020
Rick & Kevin,
Our deepest condolences go out to you and family during these tough times. I remember your father visiting my parents house many times when I was a kid. He was great man. He will be missed.
Randy Uhler
January 31, 2020
Rick you will be missed. You were and are a class act. Godspeed.
Jeff and Anita Krause
January 30, 2020
Kathy so sorry to hear of the passing of Rick. It was always a pleasure speaking with Rick, I remember his quick wit and humor. Whenever we saw him, and you he would always asked how our kids were doing and wished them well.
Unfortunately Anita and I are in Florida until the end of February and will not be available to attend his mass. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy Heil
January 30, 2020
I am so sorry for the loss for the Orloski family. He was one of the kindest and smartest people I had the pleasure of dealing with. He did treat his clients like family and I tell stories to this day of the kindness and how he helped me and how he went above and beyond. He will be greatly missed and surely made a huge impact on the community. Rest in peace.
Pauline Williams
January 30, 2020
In my heart Mr. Orloski you will stay, you were so good to me and my family. I don't have words to say, you will remain in my heart.
Love, Pauline Williams
Glenn Guanowsky
January 30, 2020
I battled with your father over the years and over many cases. He was one of the best trial attorneys I've ever encountered. More important than that, he was a man of integrity whose handshake might more than a 20 page Release in resolving an issue. And his willingness to get a positive outcome for his clients, even if it meant waiving a fee, was unparalleled. I feel privileged in having had the opportunity to know him.
May his memory be eternal
Glenn Guanowsky
January 30, 2020
I battled with your father over the years and over many cases. He was one of the best trial attorneys I've ever encountered. More important than that, he was a man of integrity whose handshake might more than a 20 page Release in resolving an issue. And his willingness to get a positive outcome for his clients, even if it meant waiving a fee, was unparalleled. I feel privileged in having had the opportunity to know him.
May his memory be eternal
January 30, 2020
To the Orloski family
I knew Rick for many years. He was a quality person. He practiced law in the best way possible-passion, hard work and the willingness to help people. He was always excited about the law and new ideas.
My sincere condolences to the family
Martye Cohen
TONY COVELLO
January 30, 2020
I am so sad, your loss is god's way of giving a good man rest after a hard working journey he was my best friend, I will miss him so much as many more will. Tony
Gladys Wiles
January 30, 2020
Rick, Kevin and the entire Orloski family, my deepest condolences on the loss of Rick Sr. He was a great and kind man. His passing is a tremendous loss to the legal community.
Alexis Stengel
January 29, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Orloski family. Rick was a truly remarkable human being. He was passionate in his beliefs, and was always there ready to represent those who needed him most, the underdogs, who nobody else wanted to represent. I saw him in action in the courtroom, and his fiery representation was so impressive. He always had time whenever I would call him with a question, and never failed to inquire about my family. He loved his family, and always spoke of them so proudly, especially the love of his life, Kathy. I will always think of him fondly, and hope he rests in peace. Thank you Rick for allowing our family to be your friend.
Robert Schlenker
January 29, 2020
The best of men!
January 29, 2020
I was so saddened to hear this news. Rick successfully handled two important cases for me many years ago. He was a fine attorney and an even better human being. Your family is in my prayers, across the miles.
Don Kaiser
St. Louis, MO
David Brunner
January 29, 2020
We are saddened to hear about the passing of Rick. He was a good honest man with lots of integrity. Loved his family! Our prayers go out to his family and loved ones. The Brunner Family
Linda Ford
January 29, 2020
Dear Orloski family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May the love you share as family be a source of comfort and strength, peace and healing in the days to come.
With our deepest sympathy,
Jim and Linda Ford
Patti Pietschmann
January 29, 2020
I was fortunate to meet Rick through my brother Tony Covello who was a close friend of Rick's. He was a kind, gentle man with a good heart and soul. He will be greatly missed. My husband Richard Pietschmann and I send sincere condolences to his family and friends. RIP
January 29, 2020
My prayers to the family.
January 29, 2020
To the Orloski Family: My family and I offer our sincere condolences to you on the passing of Attorney Rick Orloski. I grew to know him well through his personal representation and inspiration as we worked together on a legal issue that hamstrung me while I resided in Allentown, many years ago. Rick proved to be the best man for the job. He was always accessible and available to answer my questions and offer words of encouragement and advice when solicited. In fact, sometime later when I made the decision to attend law school, he sat with me in his office and tutored me in the rigors of law school, and some of the general expectations. I still have in my office at this moment a well used copy of Black's Law Dictionary, which was his gift to me during my first year of law school. I will miss knowing he is no longer with us. My thoughts are prayers are with you.
Causley Edwards
Kim Oliver
January 29, 2020
My thoughts and prayer are with the Orloski family. I'm so sorry for your loss. Rick was a great man. I am glad that I got the chance to meet him years ago. I appreciate all he's done for me. He is at piece with the angels like himself. He will definitely be missed. R. I. P. Rick
Monique Lindsay
January 29, 2020
I had the pleasure of being in Rick's employ for about six years. The job came into my life at a time where I was having much difficulty and change, and Rick was kind enough to take a chance on me and hire me as a legal secretary. It is at that time that he quickly befriended me. He made a huge impact in my life, helping me deal with adversity, taking on a full-time job after not working for many years, giving me courage to believe in myself and not give up and in rebuilding my life. I will forever be indebted to him for his help, guidance, support, wisdom, kindness, and friendship. I look back and remember it was not always easy with his stubbornness and obstinance, especially on things he was so passionate about. But he fought for what he believed in and tried to prove his point of view, often swaying your difference of opinion. Rick wasn't a quitter and he would go up against anyone and take on cases that no one else would. A true underdog supporter. Lol. I admire him for his determination, his gumption, his kind heart and caring ways. He made me feel important and treated me like family, as he did many others. I will always be fond of him and hold him dear. My memories of good days and good times will be close in heart. May he Rest In Peace. My deepest sympathy to the entire family, Kathy, Rebecca, Rick Jr, Kevin, Kathryn and Joe. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dominica Ayala
January 29, 2020
So sorry for your loss. We loss a great man who cared very much about people. My heart goes out to you. God Bless him . May he rest in peace.
Chris Armitage
January 29, 2020
To Rick and the entire Orloski Family,
My heartfelt condolences to you all. I have many fond, and some slightly scary memories, of your dad! He was a wonderful, principled man whose care for others shone through and he will surely be missed by many. My thoughts are with you all at this time.
Mario Moses
January 29, 2020
Dear Mrs. Orloski and Family,
I'm sorry to learn of Rick's passing yet glad I had opportunity to know this truly genuine man.
With Sympathy and Condolence,
Mario Moses
Prakash Thakrar
January 29, 2020
Our heartfelt sympathies. So blessed to have known him. A wonderfully kind and considerate man with a strong moral compass.
Prakash and Eela Thakrar.
Helen Nicholas
January 29, 2020
Dear family, deep condolences. Rick was one of a kind, he truly cared about people. He will be missed. God bless his soul. Helen Nicholas.
Joe Brennan
January 29, 2020
I always admired Rick! He was a good Democrat and a great person/attorney! He will be missed!
Claudette Johnson
January 28, 2020
My deep condolences to the whole family; and I want to say how thankful I was to have Rick be such a big part of my Grandpop's life ("Pat" Patterson). I'm very sorry
January 28, 2020
Dear Cousins,
We are so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Ricky as a kind and generous soul who was the ultimate family man... His annual family Christmas letter and pictures for 40 years will be missed. He was always so kind to our Mom (Cioci Sabina) until her passing in July, 2019. May he rest in peace.
Love & prayers from Nancy & Ron Pope and family.
Homosassa, Florida
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