Christopher H. Orlicz's Obituary
Christopher H. Orlicz, 75, of Syracuse, NY, passed away on March 1, 2025, at Strong Memorial Hospital, after a courageous two-year battle with leukemia, with his beloved wife, Linda, and sons, Greg and Rich, by his side. Chris faced his illness until the very end with the same strength, determination, and grace that defined his entire life.
Chris was born on September 4, 1949 in Chicago, IL, to Hubert and Rita Orlicz who raised him with love, provided him with opportunities, and instilled in him the values he carried throughout his life. At a young age, Chris had a deep love for learning and intellectual pursuits, having read the Iliad and the Odyssey by the time he was 10 years old and excelling as a competitive chess player. He graduated in 1971 from Loyola University Chicago and completed Master’s coursework dreaming of a career in education administration, but the realities of the job market during the baby boomer generation led him instead to begin a public service career with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) in Chicago. After ten years, Chris transferred to Syracuse in 1984 to serve as the Regional Office Manager, where he and his family made their home. Chris later continued his federal career with the Social Security Administration in Syracuse, where he utilized his work ethic, intelligence and compassion to help those in need, ensuring they received the benefits they deserved. His dedication to his work lasted until his retirement in 2011. During his over 30 years in public service, Chris was known for his commitment and support to both his clients and colleagues.
A devoted husband and father, Chris' family was the foundation of his life, and his love for them was always clear. He and Linda shared a deep bond that lasted through their nearly 50 years of marriage. He was immensely proud of his sons, Greg and Rich, and he was an adoring grandfather to Evan and Haley. Chris dedicated himself to his family with selflessness and unwavering loyalty. He was a father who led by example, teaching his sons the importance of responsibility, honoring commitments, kindness, and ethics. His sacrifices for his wife and sons were made with love and without hesitation. Chris was also a loving and caring brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
As a man of integrity, Chris was principled, honorable, ethical, and always believed in treating everyone equally. He deeply valued his friendships and was naturally drawn to people who were authentic. His ability to connect with others—whether longtime friends or new acquaintances—was one of his defining traits. In bowling leagues at Lakeview and Flamingo Lanes, in interactions with vendors at the CNY Regional Market every Saturday, or in casual encounters, Chris made a point of showing kindness and gratitude to everyone he met. Over the years, he built lasting relationships, and many knew him as a genuinely good man.
Chris had a passion for bowling and was well-known and accomplished in the sport over the course of decades. He regularly bowled multiple times a week in various local leagues, achieving many perfect 300 games and several 800 series. He loved the camaraderie and friendships developed at the lanes, as well as the competitive nature of the sport.
Among his other passions, Chris enjoyed nature, road trips, boating, and marveling at sunrises, sunsets, waterfalls, and autumn colors. He was also an avid reader, with a wide range of interests in history, philosophy, current events, and business news. And in his younger years, Chris was an accomplished chess player, learning the game from his father and playing competitively in Chicago. Chris’ strategic, logical mind and love for intellectual challenges served him well both in chess and throughout his life.
In the face of his illness, Chris never lost his way with people or his sense of humor. Throughout his treatment, he often quipped with the doctors, nurses, and others who cared for him despite the seriousness of his disease and the many severe health issues he faced. His medical team appreciated his positive attitude and his genuine kindness, with many of them noting what a pleasure it was to care for him. Even in his final days, Chris maintained his strength, grace, and humor, leaving behind a legacy of thankfulness and kindness.
Chris was predeceased by his parents, Hubert and Rita, as well as his life-long friend, Rick Carter. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Linda Orlicz; his sons, Greg (Mattie) Orlicz of Santa Fe, NM, and Rich (Kim) Orlicz of Albany, NY; his grandchildren, Evan and Haley; his brother, Hugh (Linda) Orlicz of Chicago, IL; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.), North Syracuse, with a funeral service immediately following at 12:00 P.M.
In memory of Chris, the family requests that donations be made to the B. Thomas Golisano Hope Lodge in Rochester, NY, (https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&&id=1217) which provides generous accommodations to out-of-town patients and caregivers in a warm, home-like environment, or to the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (https://givenow.lls.org), which offers valuable disease information and nurse navigators who connect patients and caregivers to essential resources. Both organizations were a tremendous support to Chris and his family throughout his two-year battle with his disease. The family would also like to extend their appreciation for the wonderful and compassionate care that Chris received from the Strong Memorial Hospital Wilmot Cancer Center, Hematology Oncology Associates, and Roswell Park Cancer Center.
Rest in peace, Chris. You were truly one of a kind, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts. Your spirit will remain with us in the way we live on and honor your memory.
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