Orlando V. Nieves

Orlando V. Nieves, 66, of Morrisville, PA, died Friday, November 25, after a year-long illness. Son of Master Sergeant Teodulo Nieves and Carmelina Vasquez Nieves, he was born in Massachusetts while his father was stationed at Fort Devens.  An Army brat, he moved with his family to Germany, Puerto Rico and eventually, Fort Dix, NJ, graduating from Pemberton (NJ) High School.  He was proud to be a graduate of The College of New Jersey when it was known as Trenton State College.

After college, he married Anne Vinson, his first love, and lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  He had many interests and worked in several fields, including radio DJ, graphic arts, teaching and social work before turning his enthusiasm for technology into a career and eventually becoming  Director of Information Technology at Greater Trenton Community Mental Health Center, which position he held for more than 20 years.  After he and Anne parted, they remained lifelong friends.  Through his IT position Orlando met and in 1994 married Barbara Ricker of NH who was serendipitously providing tech support for the software GTCMHC used.

He was devoted to his wife and two step-daughters, Marnie and Naomi Ricker, who were, in turn, devoted to him.

In 2009, Orlando learned he had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal disease, and was extraordinarily fortunate to have a life-saving double lung transplant at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia.  While only about 50% of lung transplant recipients live five years after the surgery, Orlando had twelve years of superb health, filling his life with full-time work and family vacations sailing in Maine and traveling to diverse places such as Cumberland Island, Georgia and Paris, France.

Orlando leaves his wife, Barbara, and step-daughters, Marnie Ricker and Naomi Ricker, both of Asheville, NC, his mother, his sister, Sandra Tomko, his brothers Ted, Jose, and Julius Nieves as well as nieces and nephews.  He is sadly missed by his family and many, many friends and coworkers.  He was one of the most genuinely nice human beings ever to walk the earth, loved by all who knew him well.

In accordance with Orlando’s wishes there will be no funeral service.  A gathering of remembrance will be held at the Yardley Country Club, 1010 Reading Ave. Yardley, PA 19067 on December 10, 2022 at 2 PM.  His ashes will be scattered in New Hampshire at a future date.  Memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.