Lawrence T Orsillo
WWII Navy
Larry (Ozzie) Orsillo of Winchester passed away Friday of natural causes at the age of 92.
Larry was a devoted husband to his wife Mary (Maiullari) for 65 years until she passed in 2010. Larry and Mary are survived by five children, Lorraine Orsillo of Woburn, Lawrence T Orsillo JR and his wife Joyce of Stoneham, Paul Orsillo and his wife Karen of Kittery Maine, Thomas Orsillo and his wife Corrine of Gloucester and James (Ozzie) Orsillo and his wife Peggy of Woburn. Larry was extremely proud of his 6 grandchildren Julie, Jeffery, Eric, Scott, David and Lauren and loved to talk them up any chance he had. Sunday dinners (every Sunday) at Grandma and Grandpa’s house was a blast!
Larry’s siblings were also an important part of his and our life. He came from a large family with six brothers and three sisters, Donald and wife Virginia of Melrose, Lewis and wife Lucy Ann of Florida, Joseph and wife Eleanor of Lexington, Francis and wife Mable of New Hampshire, Robert and wife Mary of Saugus, Vincent and wife Anne of Stoneham, Jenny and husband Bill of Stoneham, Florence and husband Leo of Saugus and Rose of Melrose. Our family life was full of aunts, uncles and cousins enjoying each other every time we got together. Looking back our family gave us a beautiful quality of life.
Originally from Stoneham, Larry (Ozzie) joined the US Navy early in 1942 and was assigned to the USS Lyon AP 71 through 1945. While on board this troop transport ship he and his shipmates successfully completed five invasions in Europe, South Africa and Japan. In addition Larry was awarded the Navy and Marine Corp Medal for his acts of heroism on July 16, 1943 when a nearby munitions ship and dock caught fire. Without consideration Larry ran though flaming barrels of fuel on the dock making his way to the burning ship cutting the wire mooring lines with an axe allowing the ship to be towed clear of the harbor saving nearby ships and countless lives.
His pride of service to our country and the lifelong bonds he made with his shipmates during WWII was something he carried his entire life. Larry, his wife and daughter would travel to ship reunions every year hosting two of them himself in the Boston area.
After his discharge from the Navy, Larry went to work for Atlantic Gelatin in Stoneham where he built his career. At the “jelly” he developed bonds with coworkers that would last a life time. It was not unusual to see the guys at the table for dinner.
Larry enjoyed gardening, golf, working out and steam-baths but above all his most cherished times were with family and friends.

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