Orlando Silvio Estevez

Orlando Silvio Estevez, 86 of Salisbury, passed away May 28, 2025 in Charlotte, NC.

Orlando was born in Guines, Cuba in 1939, to Jose Manuel Estevez and Juana Estevez (Fuentez). He and older brother D. Jose Manuel Estevez grew up in Marianao, Havana, Cuba where he enjoyed learning English while going to American movies, visiting the beach, studying electronics, playing guitar, and singing.

He stayed in Cuba after the Revolution to take care of his parents, but when all 3 were able to flee, they left for the United States via Spain.

He met Rosa Helena in Danville, VA where he worked at Dan River Mills. She was visiting from Colombia, and they fell in love and eventually married. They then moved to Pittsburgh, PA where the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hired him to repair laboratory equipment. In this 40+ year career, he maintained all laboratory and hospital equipment, manufactured discontinued replacement parts, advised on major laboratory equipment purchases, and designed and built specialized equipment, including UPMC's first DNA Sequencer He became Supervisor of the Instrumentation Management Department for all UPMC labs (5 hospitals). He was well-respected and beloved through his years of service.

He volunteered stateside for the Army National Guard as a sharpshooter during Vietnam.

In leisure, he found joy in repairing just about anything for anyone in need, never charging a dime. His extraordinary talent at playing guitar and singing was sought-after for get togethers, parties and gatherings of the Club Cultural Español de Pittsburgh. He was an excellent photographer and videographer, with his favorite subjects being his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed travel and was able to visit Colombia, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, and Türkiye. His greatest joy was sharing all his gifts and his stories with his family.

He was an honest and principled man who preached, displayed, and lived with integrity. His humor and kindness were infectious. He was a man who loved his family, the Carolina mountains, and helping others. He will be dearly missed.

Orlando is survived by wife, Rosa Helena Estevez (Jaramillo), daughters Joanna Hutula (Estevez) and Diane Estevez-Olszewski and their husbands Scott David Hutula and Brian Anthony Olszewski respectively, grandchildren Karina Nicole Hutula, Mitchell Scott Hutula, and Cadence Elizabeth Olszewski, step-grandchild Coral Marie Olszewski, and step-great grandchild Amelia Jade Olszewski-Lindsey.

He is predeceased by parents Jose Manuel Estevez and Juana Estevez (Fuentez), brother D. Jose Manuel Estevez, and daughter Diana Marie Estevez.

Memorial will be a private service for immediate family, but prayers are deeply appreciated.

Please send any monetary donations to the Alzheimer's Association.