Monday, February 20, 2012

My Friend Tam

Orland N. Tamburri April 1, 1921 - February 10, 2012


Mr. Orland N. Tamburri, a native of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at his home in V i s t a, California, just north of San Diego, w h e r e he retired following a long a n d illustrious career in the t e l e v i s i o n industry during the 'Golden Age of TV'. He was 90 years old.
The son of Luigi and Maddalena Vitti Tamburri, he was a graduate of Uniontown's South Union High, Class of 1939.
Following high school, he worked at several local Pittsburgh area radio stations before enlisting in the Navy Air Corps during World War II, where he served in the Pacific theater guiding radio controlled aircraft over enemy targets, the precursors of today's modern drone technology.
It was also while in the service that he met the love and inspiration of his life, Dorothy Caldroney, a Navy Nurse. They were happily married from 1947 until Dorothy's sudden death on December 19, 2002.
He and Dorothy had two sons, Ken Tamburri and Don Tamburri. Sadly, both are deceased.
Driven by a keen technical mind, a desire to succeed and a strong work ethic inherited from his Italian immigrant parents, he was encouraged by his mentors in the radio business after the War to travel to New York City to pursue his dreams.
It was in New York where Orland began a distinguished career as a Technical Director for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). His career with NBC took him around the globe. He was the recipient of three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards and also 24 Nominations for his work as Technical Director on shows ranging from major sporting events, sitcoms and space launches, to popular game shows, political conventions and the highly acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame series.
His many TV credits include such popular hit shows as The Golden Girls, Sanford and Son and The Johnny Carson Show. His name can still be seen in the credits of many of the re-runs of these popular shows, listed as 'Technical Director: O. Tamburri'.
He is survived by his sister, Edie Tamburri Paul of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
He will be fondly remembered as a true gentleman considerate, selfless, generous, accomplished, genuine and humble. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
May he rest in peace in the comforting and waiting arms of his beloved wife, Dorothy, and sons, Ken and Don. We love you and we miss you!

Tam's Filmography

The Golden Girls (TV series) (technical director - 123 episodes, 1985-1990) (technical manager - 1 episode, 1989)
 
1988 Empty Nest (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
Pilot (1988) (technical director)
 
1985 Santa Barbara (TV series) (technical director - 2 episodes)
Episode #1.209 (1985) (technical director)
Episode #1.208 (1985) (technical director)
 
1984-1985 Punky Brewster (TV series) (technical director - 3 episodes)
My Aged Valentine (1985) (technical director)
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1984) (technical director)
Punky Finds a Home: Part 1 (1984) (technical director)
 
1983-1984 Jennifer Slept Here (TV series) (technical director - 12 episodes)
Take, Jennifer Please (1984) (technical director)
The Tutor Who Came to Dinner (1984) (technical director)
Life with Grandfather (1984) (technical director)
Do You Take This Ghost? (1984) (technical director)
Risky Weekend (1984) (technical director)
 
1982 Ain't Misbehavin' (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1982 The Sound of Murder (technical director)
 
1981 The People vs. Jean Harris (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1980 Blockbusters (TV series) (technical director)
 
1980 The Hollywood Squares (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
Episode dated 20 June 1980 (1980) (technical director)
 
1980 Solid Gold (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
Pilot #1 (1980) (technical director)
 
1979 Skinflint: A Country Christmas Carol (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1979 All Star Secrets (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
Episode dated 9 April 1979 (1979) (technical director)
 
1979 Password Plus (TV series) (technical director)
 
1978-1981 Card Sharks (TV series) (technical director)
 
1976-1977 C.P.O. Sharkey (TV series) (technical director - 3 episodes)
Natalie's Ultimatum (1977) (technical director)
Operation: Frisco (1977) (technical director)
Oh Captain! My Captain (1976) (technical director)
 
1977 Our Town (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1972-1977 Sanford and Son (TV series) (technical director - 23 episodes)
School Daze (1977) (technical director)
The Lucky Streak (1977) (technical director)
When John Comes Marching Home (1977) (technical director)
Aunt Esther Meets Her Son (1976) (technical director)
The Hawaiian Connection: Part 2 (1976) (technical director)
 
1975 Grady (TV series) (technical director - 2 episodes)
The Driving Force (1975) (technical director)
Be It Ever So Humble (1975) (technical director)
 
1975 Welcome Back, Kotter (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
Whodunit? (1975) (technical director)
 
1973 Tomorrow Coast to Coast (TV series) (technical director)
 
1973 Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Rehearsal Concert (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1973 Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (TV special documentary) (technical director)
 
1973 Mitzi... The First Time (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1968 Flesh and Blood (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1966 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House (TV documentary) (technical director)
 
1964 The Fantasticks (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1962 Arsenic & Old Lace (TV movie) (technical director)
 
1951-1954 Martin Kane (TV series) (technical director - 15 episodes)
The Milk Bottle Burglar (1954) (technical director)
The Shoeshine Murder (1954) (technical director)
Trip to Bermuda (1953) (technical director)
The Comic Strip Killer (1953) (technical director)
Black Pearls (1952) (technical director)
 
1952 The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
The Last Hour (1952) (technical director)