John F. Orolin

May 20, 1934 - May 23, 2018
John F. Orolin

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John F. Orolin, 84, of Hendersonville passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at his home after a year-long battle with cancer. A native of Wilmington, IL, John lived in Henderson County since 1995. He was the son of the late Michael and Nina Mae Stevens Orolin.

John received his double Bachelor’s degree in Math and Physics from Illinois State University and his Master’s degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University. A secondary education teacher and computer specialist, he taught mathematics for the U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) in Izmir, Turkey, Seville, Spain, Upper Heyford, England, and Brunssum, the Netherlands from 1962 to 1995.

John’s hobbies and interests were wide and varied including photography, antique cameras, antique clocks, art, aviation, canoeing, classic cars, computers, formula 1 racing, model railroading, music (classical and jazz), radio-controlled model airplanes, sailing, and sports cars. He was a member of the Hendersonville Rotary Club, three photography clubs, Land of the Waterfalls Camera Club and Critique Club, both in Brevard, and Camera Club of Hendersonville; National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, and he was a former member of the Hendersonville University Club.

Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-four years Barbara; a son, Nicolas Orolin and his wife, Antonia, of Cary; a sister, Jane Welch and her husband, Steve, of Geneseo, IL; and a number of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 6:00 pm Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at the St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Father Joel Hafer will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Hendersonville Rotary Club, Alzheimer’s Research, P.O. Box 901, Hendersonville, NC 28793.


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  • May 31, 2018
    Susan Stanton says:
    John was one of a kind - always the first to jump in and volunteer. He was a kind soul and will be dearly missed. The photographic community will feel the loss.

  • June 02, 2018
    Kay Galloway says:
    Farewell John! Thoughts of you at work at AFCENT International School spring to mind and the welcome you and Barbara extended to your home. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and your wide-ranging iintellect.

  • June 03, 2018
    Frank and Rosalie Martella says:
    Talk about a lot of memories, including the Wendy House to all those searches for those antiques!

  • June 07, 2018
    gc says:
    My sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort give you the comfort you need to endure this difficult time (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)