By Joanna Aramini
A “townie” of Westborough since his birth on May 7, 1928, Joseph Orlando tells his tale of growing up during the Great Depression; life wasn’t easy. One of thirteen, Orlando was constantly surrounded with hardworking, role-model-status individuals.
Just around the corner on Green Street, Orlando walked to school every morning–rain or shine-with siblings. In hopes of a snow day, the Orlando siblings would listen carefully every winter morning waiting for whistles around town to blow. Unfortunately, this rarely happened. School days were much different than those of the 21st century. Subjects such as Physical Science and Bio-Engineering were unheard of. Orlando and his classmates, approximately 40 students, were taught the bare necessities such as reading, writing, arithmetic, and physical education.
After the school day was over, Orlando would walk back home where he would head straight to work. There was no time for ‘relaxing’ or just ‘lounging around’ in the Orlando household. A typical after school job for Orlando included tending the family garden, planting tomatoes and other vegetables, in addition to feeding their chickens and pigs. His summer job included picking blueberries at Cedar Swamp and selling them to make a profit. Wreaths were made during the winter months and apples were picked in the fall and later sold at 10 cents a bushel.
When Orlando wasn’t working, he was playing classic games in the street with his brothers and sisters. Some of his favorites included ‘kick the can,’ ‘hide and seek,’ and ‘red light,’ as well as jumping in the coal bins near his house. However, simpler games such as marbles or playing ball were among his favorite childhood memories.
After high school, Orlando joined the service. Knowing he would be drafted anyways, he joined the navy because he felt the navy was “cleaner and nicer.” After all, it was the “patriotic thing to do” according to Orlando. Not knowing how to swim, he barely passed the swim test needed in order to enroll in the navy. Only signed for three years, Orlando was asked to stay for a fourth year due to the Korean War.
In 1950 at the age of 22, Orlando safely returned home, and decided to continue his schooling. In doing so, he attended Worcester Junior College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Studying a little of everything there for two years, he graduated at the age of 32. Shortly afterward, Orlando enrolled at a trade school, Massachusetts Radio and Television School, in Boston, Massachusetts, in which he graduated years later in the top five of his class.
When Orlando successfully finished his schooling, he got a job at Bay State Abrasives in his hometown. He had worked there right after high school, but later left the company when he joined the service. When he returned home, he was guaranteed his job back. Upon his return, Orlando worked as a machinist, and later switched to an electronic technician and electrician which he held positions in for 38 years. When he was 58 years old, Orlando became the wire inspector for the town of Westborough, and currently still holds the position.
Orlando met the love of his life, Ada Sabatini, in 1956, when his sister, Toni, first introduced them. The two lovebirds were married a short year later and settled down in Orlando’s hometown. A year later, their first child, Jo Anne, was born and her three siblings were born shortly after. Having eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, Orlando is constantly surround by those who love and care about him dearly. Born, raised, and still currently living in Westborough, Massachusetts, Joseph Orlando is a real “townie” trooper!
