ALTAMONT — Thomas E. Orsini, a devoted son, father, and grandfather, was a veteran who designed Thruway bridges. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Albany Medical Center on Tuesday, Aug. 9. He was 64.

He was born at St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady on Sept. 3, 1957, the son of Doris A. (née Page) Pulliam and the late Ernest P. Orsini. He graduated from Guilderland schools and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

He served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers in Berlin, Germany from 1980 to 1984 and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.

Upon returning home, he was employed as a project manager in the bridge construction division at BBL Inc. “Many of the New York State Thruway bridges we drive over today were his projects and designs,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was most recently employed by Saratoga Glen Hollow Water Supply Corp. as the operations manager.

“Tom was a devoted son, father, and grandfather. He was smart, funny, witty and will always be remembered for his laugh and ingenuity.

“His children and family will always cherish the memories of his impromptu trips to Florida, late-night car rides looking for wildlife, launching model rockets, and Adirondack camping in Old Forge and Saranac Lake, a longtime Orsini family tradition.

“He loved attending all his children’s sporting events. He was especially proud of Annie for earning her master’s degree. He enjoyed many beautiful days on the golf course, spending time with friends, family and his grandsons. They loved it when their ‘Papa Tom’ came to visit.”

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In addition to his loving mother, Doris A. Pulliam, and her husband, Vall, Thomas E. Orsini is survived by his children: Thomas W. Orsini, Anne L. DelVecchio and her husband, Alex, and Mark E. Orsini; by his sisters, Teresa Landreville and her husband, Dean, Mary Anne Orsini and Barb, Patricia King and her husband, Clark, Dorianne Usher and her husband, Steve; by his brother, Ernest Orsini and his wife, Kelly; by his grandsons, Keegan M. McCarthy and AJ DelVecchio; and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Aug. 16 at St. Lucy’s Church in Altamont. Interment was in Fairview Cemetery in Altamont.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
 

Mark Orsini is his son and can be reached at 518-381-0101 and his Daughter Annie at 518-210-8449.