A great manager and a great example for citizens were ways Auburn city officials described Michael Oropallo Jr. Monday.
Oropallo, who had served as an educator, coach, civil servant and community pillar in Auburn for many years, passed away Friday in Florida at the age of 75.
During his time in the city, Oropallo was a school teacher, parks and recreation director and even interim city manager before retiring in 1993.
“Whatever the city asked of him, he always went over and above,” Auburn Mayor Michael Quill said of Oropallo. “He was a go-to person. He was the man who you could count on for whatever you asked of him.”
Born in Auburn, Oropallo was a teacher and coach until he got into civil work on a full-time basis in 1971. As parks and recreation director, he helped develop the Casey Park skating rink and recreation complex.
Oropallo had also served as the city's Little League commissioner and president of the Auburn Hockey Club. Over the years, he received numerous awards for his work and service to the community.
“Mike was a true gentleman. This is a great loss to the city,” Quill said.
Quill, who worked for the Auburn Fire Department for more than 30 years before retiring as chief in 2006, said Oropallo was never boastful. And yet he still served as an example to all city employees and officials, Quill said.
“The name (Oropallo) is synonymous with the city of Auburn,” he said.
Oropallo helped found the CANUS Games in 1976. The event, which pitted athletes in Auburn against those from its sister city, Orillia, Ontario, Canada, lasted through 1996.
He was also active in community service, and was president of the local United Way in 1985. During that year, current Auburn City Councilor Thomas McNabb was a vice president of administration.
Oropallo, McNabb said, was great with people and was an excellent manager.
“He got along with everybody, and that included the people he worked with,” he said. “He was just a great guy.”
There will be no calling hours for Oropallo and a memorial service is expected to be scheduled at a later date.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
During his time in the city, Oropallo was a school teacher, parks and recreation director and even interim city manager before retiring in 1993.
“Whatever the city asked of him, he always went over and above,” Auburn Mayor Michael Quill said of Oropallo. “He was a go-to person. He was the man who you could count on for whatever you asked of him.”
Born in Auburn, Oropallo was a teacher and coach until he got into civil work on a full-time basis in 1971. As parks and recreation director, he helped develop the Casey Park skating rink and recreation complex.
Oropallo had also served as the city's Little League commissioner and president of the Auburn Hockey Club. Over the years, he received numerous awards for his work and service to the community.
“Mike was a true gentleman. This is a great loss to the city,” Quill said.
Quill, who worked for the Auburn Fire Department for more than 30 years before retiring as chief in 2006, said Oropallo was never boastful. And yet he still served as an example to all city employees and officials, Quill said.
“The name (Oropallo) is synonymous with the city of Auburn,” he said.
Oropallo helped found the CANUS Games in 1976. The event, which pitted athletes in Auburn against those from its sister city, Orillia, Ontario, Canada, lasted through 1996.
He was also active in community service, and was president of the local United Way in 1985. During that year, current Auburn City Councilor Thomas McNabb was a vice president of administration.
Oropallo, McNabb said, was great with people and was an excellent manager.
“He got along with everybody, and that included the people he worked with,” he said. “He was just a great guy.”
There will be no calling hours for Oropallo and a memorial service is expected to be scheduled at a later date.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
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