Orlando Laise's Obituary
Remembering Orlando John Laise, Jr. August 6, 1939 – August 12, 2025
Orlando John Laise, Jr., 86, of Huntersville, North Carolina, passed away on August 12, 2025, surrounded by family.
A true New Yorker raised in Mamaroneck, New York, Orlando was the youngest child of Orlando and Alice Laise, and the brother of Shirley Coyle and Phyliss Zacarolli.
Orlando spent more than two decades working for Con Edison in New York, where his work ethic earned the respect of everyone around him. When he retired in 1997, he and his wife, Mary, moved to Florida, where he worked at Ethan Allen Furniture, and gained quite the eye for decor that he loved decorating his house with.
He enjoyed a lot of things we all treasured as a family—an afternoon swim, keeping his yard looking its best, decorating for the holidays with his collection of Christmas villages, watching the New York Yankees(hopefully play their best!), or taking Mary out for a nice dinner at their local Chinese place.
In 2005, Orlando and Mary moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to be closer to his son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Evelyn. Most recently, in December 2023, they made their home in Huntersville with their daughter, Theresa, son-in-law, John, and two of their grandchildren. These last years were filled with love with the entire family.
Orlando is survived by Mary, his wife of 61 years; his son, Michael Laise, and daughter-in-law, Evelyn; his daughter, Theresa Bunbury, and son-in-law, John; and his four grandchildren—Sean and Erin Bunbury, and Vincent and Paul Laise.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 20, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at James Funeral Home, Huntersville. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 AM at St. Mark Catholic Church, followed by interment in the columbarium at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Orlando?
What’s a lesson you learned from Orlando?
Share a story where Orlando's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Orlando you’ll never forget.
How did Orlando make you smile?

