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.
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)
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)
1980 The Hollywood Squares (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
– Episode dated 20 June 1980 (1980) (technical director)
1979 All Star Secrets (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode)
– Episode dated 9 April 1979 (1979) (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)
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)
1951-1954 Martin Kane (TV series) (technical director - 15 episodes)
1952 The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse (TV series) (technical director - 1 episode) – 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)
– The Last Hour (1952) (technical director)
