Thomas W. Orlando

1931 - 2025

Family and friends of Tom Orlando of Sheffield, MA will gather to celebrate his life at his studio on July 19 at 1pm. The painter, portraitist, teacher, and beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025 at the age of 93, at his treasured home where he had raised his family and kept his studio for over fifty years. Tom loved nature and for decades celebrated it by his daily walk through the hills and fields near his home to his favorite spot Friends and family will honor that tradition by sharing in that walk together after a potluck meal and memories.

Tom was born in 1931 to Thomas Vito and Margarita Mary Orlando, the latter who came to be known as "Munna" to his children. Born in New York City he earned his B.A. in Art at the City College of New York, then served in the Navy creating a mural for the Seabees headquarters in Davisville, RI, now in the SeaBee Museum. He studied in NYC at the Art Students League, Brooklyn Museum and the National Academy of Art, and with Henry Hensche at the Cape School of Art. He went on to become an adjunct professor at the New York Phoenix School of Design and then Pratt Institute for nearly three decades as well as hosted painting workshops at his studio.

As a landscape and portrait artists, Tom took every opportunity to record the faces and places that crossed his path at home and wherever he traveled. As a portraitist he always preferred to paint his subjects from life rather than from photographs to better capture their essence. His work has been featured in exhibits regionally and in galleries in New York City, with paintings in private and public collections across the country, including in the Berkshire Museum.

Tom was a warm and engaging people person. He established and nourished lifelong close relationships with many friends. Above all, Tom cherished his family. He leaves his two children, Kathy Orlando of Sheffield and John Orlando and wife Sandy Yep of Los Angeles, CA, and two granddaughters, Zoe and Maeve, as well as a wealth of other family and friends.

Tom's love of nature was evidenced not only in his paintings and daily walks, but in his loyal support of conservation organizations. How much he cared for people and his community was clear in the joy he got in always dropping off food in the donation barrels at the bank and helping support social services organizations. Anyone wishing to honor him can do so with a donation to the Sheffield Land Trust, Sheffield Food Program or The Good Samaritan fund locally or a similar organization of your choice.