Rev. Jerry J. Orsino, O.M.I.

Rev. Jerry Orsino, OMI, 86, passed away on September 23, 2023, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He was born in Newburgh, New York, son of the late Genario and Virginia (Bracco) Orsino.

Fr. Orsino entered the Oblate Novitiate in Tewksbury, MA in 1958. He professed his first vows on September 8, 1959, at the Oblate Novitiate in Essex, NY and was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1966, by the late Bishop Francis J. McSorley, OMI in Washington DC. 

Following ordination Fr. Jerry went to Southeast Asia where he served for six years working with refugees in Laos. When the Oblates were ousted from Laos, he moved to serve the refugees in Hong Kong, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Macau and various other countries in Southeast Asia. Fr. Jerry returned to the United States in 1995 where he continued to minister and advocate for Asian, Korean, and Indian refugees for another 16 years. He served as a staff member at the St. Joseph Worker Shrine in Lowell, MA (2015-2019), before joining the Pastoral Ministry staff at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Eagle Pass, TX (2019-2023). In August of 2023, Fr. Jerry retired to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA.

Father Jerry was pre-deceased by his beloved stepsister Carole (Linfante) Joy of Newburgh, NY. In addition to his Oblate family, he leaves behind nieces and nephews; James (MaryAnn) Joy and Kevin Joy of Newburgh, NY; Ron (Maria) Joy of New City, NY; and Carla (Nick) Karnavezos of Windsor, NY as well as many dear friends.

Friends and family are invited to Fr. Orsino’s Visitation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA on Monday, October 2, 2023, from 2:00-4:00pm and from 7:00-9:00pm. Evening Prayer will be at 7:30pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 3rd in the Chapel. Burial at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury, MA will follow.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oblate Residence, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 in his memory.  To view his Funeral Mass remotely, please visit https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/1849322803