Honorable Frank A. Orlando

1933 - 2021

The Honorable Franklin Anthony Orlando, long-time partner and companion to Helen Witters, father of the Honorable Michael J. Orlando and Kristine Orlando Ogilby, Esq., inspiration and good friend to many, Korean War veteran, former Assistant Attorney General, Circuit Court Judge, co-founder of AMI Kids, a leading voice in juvenile justice reform throughout the United States and devoted Florida Gator peacefully passed into heaven on May 8, 2021 with family by his side.

Born April 20, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to first generation Italian immigrants, Maria and Don Orlando, Frank was the big brother to Naomi and twins, Rita and Anita. In search of opportunity and warm weather, the family relocated to Hollywood, FL in 1942. Although Frank spoke fondly of his early childhood years spent on the beaches of Rockaway, NY, he called Broward County his home.

Upon graduating from South Broward High School in 1952, Frank enrolled in the University of Florida and began his journey as a devoted, lifelong Florida Gator and a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. While there, Frank was called up and proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War and earned a National Defense Service Medal. Upon his honorable discharge, Frank returned to UF to complete his education. There, he met his future wife, Jacqueline Brower. Together they had two children, Michael and Kristine. Frank completed his undergraduate studies and later became a "Double Gator" when he received his Juris Doctorate from the UF Levin College of Law in 1962.

In his early professional years, Frank worked as an attorney with famed lawyer Chesterfield Smith, Esq. Frank, however, was always drawn to public service. When offered the position as Special Counsel for the Florida Constitution Revision Committee, he eagerly accepted. Frank was recognized by Governor Claude Kirk for his hard work and as being an effective leader. In 1968 Frank was appointed a judge in Broward County. The Honorable Frank A. Orlando went on to serve a distinguished 21-year term on the Broward County bench, establishing a reputation as a compassionate, fair and principled jurist. In 1979 Frank, along with good friend, James Chaplin, Esq., established the 17th Judicial Circuit's Mediation Program. As a judge, Frank served in the criminal, civil, family, probate and juvenile delinquency divisions of the 17th Judicial Circuit. Frank however found his true calling in the delinquency division where he became a tireless advocate for at-risk youth.

Indeed, Frank used his judicial platform to effectuate change. In 1969, Frank co-founded a non-profit delinquency program called Florida Ocean Sciences Institute ("FOSI") along with his good friend, Bob Rosof. FOSI's novel delinquency concept of mentoring, teaching life skills, assigning positions of responsibility and leadership, and introducing youths to recreational swimming and scuba diving with direction and purpose, proved successful. Sensing the need for more community involvement, Frank brought in local community and business leaders to serve on FOSI's board of directors. FOSI's youth centered approach to reduce youth recidivism rates proved so successful it was eventually adopted by Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice statewide. FOSI was later rebranded AMIkids Greater Ft. Lauderdale. See amikids.org. For over 50 years, AMIkids has served more than 140,000 youth throughout Florida and in nine other states. Many graduates of AMIkids have gone on to lead successful lives and careers in various trades, including the military, private and public business, law, healthcare, and even the NFL. Thanks to its partnerships with private and corporate donors and AMIkid's boat donation program, their endowment rewards its graduates with college and trade school scholarships.

Upon his retirement from the judiciary in 1988, Frank continued his passion to help at-risk children through the Anne E. Casey Foundation. There he served as a senior researcher and coordinated technical assistance for grants as part of the Foundation's Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative Program. Frank brought the Foundation's funding and expertise to Florida as the Director for the Center for Youth Policy at the Shepard Broad School of Law at Nova Southeastern University. During this tenure, Frank, along with his good friends and confidants, Ira Schwartz and Bart Lubow, developed delinquency initiatives on local, state and national levels.

Frank was neither finished nor content to rest on his laurels. Throughout his life, he remained committed to serving at-risk youth and families. He was a Chair of the Florida Delegation to the White House Conference on Families. He served as Chair of the Florida Detention Reform Task Force where he directed the development of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. He was a Chair of the Florida Supreme Court's Mediation Training and Standards Commission. He was also the recipient of the ABA's Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award recognizing him as "Child Advocate of the Year." One of Frank's most cherished award experiences, however, was his induction into the University of Florida's Hall of Fame, where he was introduced to the crowd for his advocacy work by "the ol ball coach" himself, Steve Spurrier.

When not working, Frank traveled the world with his loving companion, Helen. For over 43 years, Frank and Helen enjoyed meeting the people, experiencing the cultures, and exploring the cities and countrysides of Europe, including Helen's own country of Scotland. Frank naturally gravitated to Italy and Italian cuisine, but he also loved France, particularly Paris, and even took cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu. In the summers, however, it was Aspen, CO. Frank preferred to spend his time with Helen amidst the beauty and seemingly endless outdoor activities of Aspen/Snowmass where they also frequented the live music festivals and lecture series at the Aspen Institute.

Of all his accomplishments and travels, however, Frank's most proud and enduring legacy lies in his children, Michael and Kristine, and his grandchildren, Michael, Jr., Todd, Angelina, Emily, Julia and Abigail. He valued his family above all else and supported them at every opportunity. He was a constant presence in his children's and grandchildren's lives, attending little league and high school games, recitals, and graduations. Frank is loved deeply by his family and will be forever remembered as a loving patriarch. He will be missed greatly, but his legacy will live on in the lives of his family and the many people he touched along the way.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Maria and Don, and his sister, Naomi Farrow. He is survived by his partner, Helen Witters; son, The Honorable Michael J. Orlando and his wife, Laura Orlando, and their three children, Michael, Todd and Angelina; daughter, Kristine Orlando Ogilby and her husband, Kevin Ogilby, and their three children, Emily, Julia and Abigail; his sisters, Anita Orlando-Denny and Rita McKinney; and Helen's children and their families, Heather Witters (Greg) and children, Katrina (Adam), Gregory and Vanessa; and David Witters (Kerri), and children, Brittany (Kyle), Peri, and John.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, 301 E. Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 with a reception to follow in the church's Events Center. The FBC auditorium can host up to 1000 socially distanced persons and will be open to those choosing to attend in person. There will also as a live stream option as well. Live stream details will be posted on the 17th Judicial Circuit's website found at www.17th.flcorts.org and on Frank's memorial page on Facebook but closer to the ceremony. One of Frank's last requests was that in lieu of flowers; please consider making a donation to his beloved AMI Kids at Give.AMIkids.org/JudgeFrank