Venice High School Alumni
Los Angeles, California (CA)
In Memory of
John Anthony Orlando
1949-2026
Born Jun 12, 1949, John Anthony Orlando attended Venice High School in Los Angeles, CA.
Class of 1967
Jun 12, 1949 - May 11, 2026
Jun 12, 1949 - May 11, 2026
Salute. Blessings. Legend. ????????????????? John ????
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Orlando of Lincoln City, Oregon, who departed this life on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 76 following a heart attack. He leaves behind a legacy of love, cherished forever by his devoted companion, Tina Bauer. He was preceded in death by his father Edward, mother Laura, and step-father William Warnick.
A kind, giving soul who brightened the lives of all who knew him, John was a master surfboard designer, shaper, and glasser. He was also an exceptional fellow traveler whose unique character brought joy and unforgettable memories to many surf trips.
??????? Surfing Stories
John possessed a rare gift for building life-long friendships. His bond with next-door neighbor Walt Bouck began the very day they met and started surfing together, blossoming into a best friendship that spanned from the fifth through the twelfth grade. Later, alongside his Venice classmate Doug Palmer, John spent countless days surfing all across the California coast, creating memories that lasted a lifetime.
“I still have a surfboard in California that John built for me 35 years ago. I still ride it to this day. Aloha Johnny O. RIP. Jack Lutey”
I still have the memory of one time back in the mid 70’s and I was standing at the top of Bicknell hill and looking at the waves breaking and looking out on the horizon these A-Frame peaks breaking, like a big day at Ventura Overhead and John pulls up next to me in his truck and asks if I would paddle out there with him, he told me that it was called Preycon’s Reef, it’s apparently where way back in the day the city dumped abunch of trolley cars and on really big swells it’d break. Apparently Craig Preycon and local legend and friends with Orlando and Jeff Ho and their crew ( All Legends themselves if i can say so) had surfed it one time, but I haired out because it looked a lot farther out than the Overhead and I was thinking- man, it’s pumping and looks so clean but I thought, damn but that’s right in Mr. Sharky’s living room so I told John , no thanks- year’s later I had a flashback of that time and I thought, damn- I’d take that chance now but I never seen it break again. I was so bummed. Hesitated and got smoked-. Patrick Keiser
After leaving Hawaii for Oregon, John became a beloved fixture in the Oregon Coast's vibrant glassblowing community. As an independent creator, he poured his passion into custom, hand-blown art, making a lasting impact through his work at the Lincoln City Glass Center and his time operating out of the local hot shop.
With his passing, the world loses a truly unique character. Aloha, John—thank you for keeping life interesting and for extending kindness in moments when others could not. moe i ka maluhia
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Orlando of Lincoln City, Oregon, who departed this life on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 76 following a heart attack. He leaves behind a legacy of love, cherished forever by his devoted companion, Tina Bauer. He was preceded in death by his father Edward, mother Laura, and step-father William Warnick.
A kind, giving soul who brightened the lives of all who knew him, John was a master surfboard designer, shaper, and glasser. He was also an exceptional fellow traveler whose unique character brought joy and unforgettable memories to many surf trips.
??????? Surfing Stories
John possessed a rare gift for building life-long friendships. His bond with next-door neighbor Walt Bouck began the very day they met and started surfing together, blossoming into a best friendship that spanned from the fifth through the twelfth grade. Later, alongside his Venice classmate Doug Palmer, John spent countless days surfing all across the California coast, creating memories that lasted a lifetime.
“I still have a surfboard in California that John built for me 35 years ago. I still ride it to this day. Aloha Johnny O. RIP. Jack Lutey”
I still have the memory of one time back in the mid 70’s and I was standing at the top of Bicknell hill and looking at the waves breaking and looking out on the horizon these A-Frame peaks breaking, like a big day at Ventura Overhead and John pulls up next to me in his truck and asks if I would paddle out there with him, he told me that it was called Preycon’s Reef, it’s apparently where way back in the day the city dumped abunch of trolley cars and on really big swells it’d break. Apparently Craig Preycon and local legend and friends with Orlando and Jeff Ho and their crew ( All Legends themselves if i can say so) had surfed it one time, but I haired out because it looked a lot farther out than the Overhead and I was thinking- man, it’s pumping and looks so clean but I thought, damn but that’s right in Mr. Sharky’s living room so I told John , no thanks- year’s later I had a flashback of that time and I thought, damn- I’d take that chance now but I never seen it break again. I was so bummed. Hesitated and got smoked-. Patrick Keiser
After leaving Hawaii for Oregon, John became a beloved fixture in the Oregon Coast's vibrant glassblowing community. As an independent creator, he poured his passion into custom, hand-blown art, making a lasting impact through his work at the Lincoln City Glass Center and his time operating out of the local hot shop.
With his passing, the world loses a truly unique character. Aloha, John—thank you for keeping life interesting and for extending kindness in moments when others could not. moe i ka maluhia