Richard Julius Orsini

Richard J. (Dick) Orsini, a longtime Abilene dentist, known for his love of family and friends and numerous contributions to his church and community, died January 13, 2017. He was 80. Funeral will be on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Inurnment will be in the church's columbarium. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Dick was born March 15, 1936, in Waterbury, Conn. His family moved to Abilene in 1949 and Dick quickly adjusted to his new home in West Texas. He excelled in football, track, and choir at Abilene High School and graduated in 1954. He then attended Southern Methodist University and earned a bachelor of business administration degree in 1958. Dick married the love of his life, Sally Kay Cloyd, on July 26, 1962 and the couple moved to Alexandria, Virginia so that Dick could enter Georgetown University Dental School. After graduation, the couple returned to Abilene in 1966 to start a dental practice in his home town and proudly served his many patients for 42 years until his retirement in 2008. Dick was a devoted husband to Sally and father to his two children, Beth and Jim. He was selfless and spent much of his time supporting them in their various activities. Whether it was ballet or baseball, he was always there coaching and participating in their lives. In addition to his dental practice, Dick was active in his church and community. His church involvement included serving as Senior Warden and President of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas. In the community, Dick served as chairman of the United Way annual campaign, President of the Exchange Club, President of the 17th District Dental Society and was a member of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. He was also a Little League and Senior League baseball coach. Dick's special joys in life were singing, playing the banjo, cooking, and golfing with his buddies. He was in numerous musicals staged by Abilene Community Theater. Dick is survived by Sally Orsini, his wife of 54 years, a daughter Elizabeth Orsini Bunk and her husband Craig of Houston; and a son Jim Orsini and his wife Denise of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Grandchildren include Foley and Carter Bunk, and Julianna, Catherine, and Sophia Orsini. Other survivors include a sister, Betty Doke and her husband, Marshall of Dallas and their three children and spouses; a sister-in-law, Jean Woosley and her husband Ken of Brownwood and their two children. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials are made to the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander, Abilene Texas 79602 or to the donor's favorite charity.