Mario Enzo DeOrchis

Mario Enzo DeOrchis was born in Tora, Italy on April 5, 1923, a small roman village half way between Rome and Naples, Italy.

He moved to the United States with his family at age 5 and they settled in Providence, Rhode Island.  His father, Vicenzo, started an Italian newspaper, “Echo”, which is still published today.

Mario, or Mr. “D” as he was often called, graduated top of his class from high school, and was given a full scholarship to Columbia College where he was a journalism major.

After his sophomore year he enlisted in the US Army.  During WWII he was assigned to teach Italian to British, US, and French officers in Africa, and they made a warrant office to assist in post-occupation local government administration.

After returning to the States, he went back to Columbia University and completed his undergraduate and law school program in 3 years.  He later obtained a Masters of Law Degree.

In 1948 he joined the Wall Street Law Firm “Haight Gardner” which specialized in maritime of shipping law.  Over the next 63 years he earned the unofficial title of “Dean” of the Admiralty Bar.  He was involved in many famous cases including the Andrea Doria collision.

During the last 25 years of his career, he started his own law firm with his son, Vincent, which was called “DeOrchis and Partners.”

On the family side Mario married Frandie Moore DeOrchis in 1948, whom he met at Columbia.  The had 3 children, Vincent, Diane and Douglas.  Now there are 9 grand children and 9 great grand children.

Mario’s beloved wife passed away in 2007, and Mario moved to Delray Beach in 2011, near his son Douglas, who is a doctor at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

Mario never forgot his Italian heritage and was a proud member of “Circolo italiano” here in our neighborhood.

Mario passed away on Monday morning in his home in Delray Beach while sleeping.  He had a brief issue with respiratory problems before passing.

He was a member of Ascension Catholic Church in Boca Raton.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Wednesday, November 13 at Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton.  Funeral Mass and Burial will he in Stamford, CT under the direction of Leo P. Gallagher and Son’s Funeral Home.

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