Philip C. Van Orden, age 67, USAF Captain retired, passed away Sunday March 1, 2009, at Rome Memorial Hospital, with his loving family at his side.
He was born October 20, 1941, in Franklin, NJ, a son of Carl Dean and Elva Hankinson Van Orden. Phil lived in Beemerville, NJ until the age of 18, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1959. While in the USAF, he served as an Electronics Technician, Lab Technician and Physician Assistant. He served his country for 30 years in the USAF with distinguished service with two tours of duty in Southeast Asia and Vietnam. He was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in 1982, retired from the USAF in 1989 and maintained his residence in Rome. Phil later became one of the country's first orthopedic Physician Assistants and worked in the medical office of Dr. Zaleski and as an employee health provider for Corporate Health Dimensions.
Phil was united in marriage to the former Marie Clayton, on December 4, 1965, in the Congregational Church in Baleville, NJ.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marie; his mother, Elva Hankinson of Branchville, NJ; a daughter, Michelle Carollo and grandchildren, Anthony Kirk and Amanda Carollo of Rome; his son, Philip C. Van Orden, Jr. and his wife, Claudja, and grandchildren, Danielle and Nicholas of Spring Valley, CA; a daughter, Lisa Internicola and grandchildren, Steven and Aaron Internicola, and Janai Haden of Rome. He is also survived by two brothers, Dean L. Van Orden and Keith T. Van Orden. He was predeceased by his father, Carl Dean Van Orden in 1975.
The funeral service will be held Thursday at 7:00 PM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Thursday 3 to 7 PM, prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation.