Chaplain Anthony Orabona of Staten Island survived the orphanage, the war, and several cancers. His life was cut short by the coronavirus. He was 69.
Orabona grew up at the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin, Mount Loretto, a Catholic orphanage infamous for the child abuse that took place there as early as the 1950s. A number of former residents at Mount Loretto have claimed that they were abused by the nuns, priests, and lay employees. The Archdiocese has named at least one priest from the orphanage as credibly accused of abuse. When Orabona lived at the orphanage, he learned to be tough to protect himself. Then while working on the docks, he took up boxing and body-building, hoping he could control any problems leveled against him. Then, he was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Vietnam War.
In the war, Orabona was exposed to Agent Orange, the chemical herbicide used to clear the forest for American troops and Vietnamese allies. However, Agent Orange caused multitudes of the allied forces to suffer long-term health effects. Orabona counted himself among them.
When he returned from overseas, Orabona found himself at the beginning of a long journey with war-related illness and PTSD. He was accustomed to suffering and hardening himself against anyone who could pose a potential threat. But then, a fellow soldier invited him to Christian Pentecostal Church in Westerleigh, Staten Island. It was there that Orabona chose to begin upon a different journey- that of faith.
His pastor at the time, Reverend John Carlo, had heard his testimony many times. “The fact that he had been through so much horror- the war, growing up at Mount Loretto, it took a toll,” he said. “Christ helped him with that.”
After his conversion, Orabona dove into a life of service, especially to ministries that helped men like him–veterans suffering after the war. He became a member of the Gideons, the organization that distributes Bibles to hotels and other public places. He later became a Chaplain and used his experience to speak to others about God’s help in times of suffering.
He also slowly learned to open up instead of toughening up. Carlo remembers an example of this occurred when the pastor was taking Orabona to a nearby Veteran’s hospital. “What made him effective is that he always told the truth about whatever it is you were talking about. Tony was open, he didn’t hide anything about how he felt or things he went through… that’s why [the veterans] kept listening to him.”
Reverend Daniel Delgado who worked with Orabona described him like this: “When he came to Christ, this giant of a man… became a gentle giant.” He spoke to people tenderly and made them feel listened to.
Reverend Marcos Miranda, who trained Orabona as a chaplain, remembers Orabona speaking about his work for the Gideons. “He thought that was the key,” he said. “If everyone could have a Bible, then that would be like them having God in the palm of their hands.” His own journey to faith taught him how powerful the Christian scriptures could be for those suffering. As a result, he combined his chaplain work with that of the Gideons to distribute thousands of Bibles to Fort Hamilton and other military bases in New York.
In his last few years, Orabona moved to New Jersey, retiring from the trucking company that he had established. His wife Diedre was also a chaplain, but soon passed away from cancer. Orabona himself continued to struggle with several forms of cancer and PTSD. In his last trip to a New York City hospital to treat his cancer, he caught the coronavirus. He passed away on Monday, April 20th, leaving his daughter Donna Nixon and an extended family of siblings, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is remembered for his testimonies to follow sufferers, his struggles from the war, and his work for the church.
As one friend observed, “Anthony was that kind of man, just a gentle giant who loved God.”
Please take a moment to reflect on our ongoing series “Moved to Heaven” about clergy-members in New York City who have passed away from the coronavirus.
If you are a person who prays or meditates, here are some things to keep in mind and to bring to your congregation:
- Help and comfort for the families of those affected by the coronavirus.
- Strength and safety for the ministers who continue to risk their lives during the pandemic.
- Help the congregations and faith communities to remain strong, intact and outgoing with compassion.
thank you!