Former Staten Islander John C. Orlando of Spring Hill, Fla., a retired Port Authority police officer, died Nov. 6 at Heartland of Brooksville (Fla.) Nursing Home, where he had been a resident for three months. He was 83.

Mr. Orlando grew up in Dongan Hills. He graduated from New Dorp High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Greenland and Iceland.

He had a 20-year career as a police officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, assigned to the Holland Tunnel. In the course of his duties, he delivered two babies. He retired in 1972.

After retiring, Mr. Orlando moved to Inverness, Fla.  He settled 21 years ago in Spring Hill, Fla., where he built a home.  Mr. Orlando enjoyed building wooden furniture; his pieces decorate his family's homes.

An avid sportsman, he was a golfer and a football fan. He also took great pleasure in playing cards and board games with friends.  When his sons were young, he volunteered with various Little League teams in Dongan Hills.  While living on the Island, he was a charter member of the Father John C. Drumgoole Council, Knights of Columbus.

He was very good with his hands and helped so many people with their homes, said his son, Louis M. Orlando. He always had a funny story and his own little words for things.

Mr. Orlando was a parishioner of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Dongan Hills, while living on Staten Island.  In addition to his son, Louis, surviving are his wife of more than 60 years, the former Mary Skiczinski; his sons, Charles A. and John P.; six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

There will be a memorial mass Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Holy Child R.C. Church, Annadale. The funeral arrangements, including private cremation, were handled by the Turner Funeral and Cremation Center, Spring Hill, Fla.