Orlando Dias Macario

Orlando Dias Macario, 84, of Phillipsburg, entered peacefully into eternal rest Friday, March 28, 2025, surrounded by his devoted and adoring family. He was born in 1941, in the land of the giant Jesus, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to his late parents Anthony Macario and Jeraldina Olivera. He was one of 18 children. Growing up poor, he decided to join the Brazilian Army, becoming a paratrooper who jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. We could never figure out why he did so willingly. After being honorably discharged in 1963 from the Army, he immigrated to the United States in 1964. Orlando had three dollars in his pocket and could only speak Portuguese. He moved in with one of his sisters in the Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey, and found a job as a construction worker. Orlando was a larger than life figure - literally. Between the Army and construction work, he built up his muscles and became a strong, stoic, handsome man who possessed a great sense of humor. He met the love of his life, Kathleen M. Griswald soon after arriving in Newark. When he first saw her, he knew he had to meet her then and there. Using his sense of humor in an unconventional way of introduction, he tripped her so that she fell into his waiting arms. After profusely apologizing, they struck up a conversation, resulting in a date. From there it was history. The June 7, 1967 wedding resulted in fifty-five years of a wonderful, loving marriage. Orlando was a man of many talents in the blue-collar industry. He worked for GM as a line worker, Ruger Chemical Company as a maintenance technician, a cabinet maker, and a limo driver. His last venture was to work at Friendly Check Cashing, where he eventually achieved the American Dream of owning his own business. He purchased the Phillipsburg branch in 2000, renaming it to the Warren County Friendly Check Cashing of Phillipsburg. Orlando and Kathleen raised three feral Gen X boys. Orlando had the patience of a Saint reining the boys in. He instilled in them a strong work ethic and how to be good men. He enjoyed teaching the boys different trades, which they mostly excelled in. In his down time, Orlando delighted in climbing his mango tree and harvesting the fruit at his Florida residence. He was an avid fan of Mets baseball, attending games with his sons. His favorite television shows were Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy which he watched with the boys. But above all he adored being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is greeted into the loving arms of his late wife Kathleen, who passed away June 2020 in addition to his parents, many siblings, nephews, and nieces. Surviving are his sons Anthony Macarioi, partner Mindi Kosmowski; Orlando Macario Jr., wife Christine; Christopher J. Macario, wife Elizabeth; four grandchildren - Drew Snyder; Victoria Macario, husband Mike Rosa; Isabella Macario; Ava Macario; three great granddaughters, Elissa, Kimberly, and Alyssa. The visitation will be on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Ketusky Funeral Home, 1310 Brooks Blvd., Manville, NJ 08835.

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Orlando Dias Macario

March 19, 1941 - March 28, 2025