Orlando Perez Andrade

Orlando Perez Andrade, 86 years old, from Cartagena, Colombia, died Friday, October 24, 2025, at his home in Hialeah, Florida, accompanied by his wife Norma Rafaela Silva Perez.

Orlando was born on February 28, 1939, in Cartagena, located on the northern coast of Colombia, capital of the Bolivar region in South America. His parents were Nicholas Perez and Graciela Andrade. Orlando is the second oldest of Graciela's three children Maria Del Carmen Olascoaga Andrade from a previous relationship, Orlando and Rafael with Nicholas.

Orlando's oldest sister, Maria ("Mayito"), was about ten years older than him. She lived well into her eighties before passing away in 2009. Rafael, a police officer in Colombia, unfortunately lost his life in 1973, while in the line of duty, when he was only in his thirties.

Orlando was passionate about cars and learned automotive mechanics in Colombia. He married Limpida Urueta around 1959. They have four children – Enith, Ruth, Emilio, and Graciela. A fifth sibling, Orlando (Orlandito), is Orlando's son from a different relationship. In 1969, Orlando traveled to the United States in search of work and a new home for his wife and children. He searched for work wherever he could find it – Hackensack, New Jersey, and Dallas in Texas. He endured the bitter cold winters of these two states and worked hard to make money to send back to his family in Colombia. Eventually, he settled in South Florida and its warmer temperatures. He secured steady employment with Metro-Dade Transit as a bus mechanic. He later moved up the ladder to a Supervisory position, where he was able to save enough money to buy a home. In 1978, he moved his wife and children to the United States.

In 1982, Orlando became a U.S. Citizen and continued working for Metro-Dade Transit until his retirement in 2010. He and Limpida were divorced in 1994. Then, he married Norma Rafaela Silva.

Orlando is survived by his wife Norma, his children Enith, Ruth, Emilio, Graciela, and Orlandito, his grandchildren Jonathan, Janisse, Matthew, Valeria, Miguel, Juan Diego, Ana Paula, and Emir-Emilio, and his great-grandchildren Eliana and Elijah, as well as Norma's children Norma Geisel, Neil Francisco, Gina, and Henry, and her grandchildren Rudi Gerardo, Samuel Antonio, Norma Liseth, Gina Mariela, Thiago, Jaiden, and Rey.

We invite you to express your sympathy and support to this family by leaving your expressions of condolences in our online guestbook.

For those wishing to send flowers call Vista Funeral Home 305-330-1496.