John Peter Orzel
August 1, 1948 – September 25, 2021
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John Peter Orzel, 73, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2021. He was born in Zagorow, Poland, on August 1, 1948, to Janina & Josef Orzel.
John was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. Loved his entire family.
When John was 13, he delivered newspapers on his bicycle for several years in Chicago. He became a naturized citizen when he was 19 years old.
He served in the US Army in Vietnam and completed 2 tours. He was wounded and recovered between the tours.
John was an avid Professional Sports Official his entire adult life. In Illinois, for many years and in Arizona 11 years. This was his passion. John loved sports of almost any kind. Sometimes he would watch a professional soccer game on the Spanish channel, he didn’t speak Spanish. John retired from MIC after 17 years on 10/02/2009.
He was a numbers guy and was the treasurer of Suburban Umpires Association in Illinois until about 2 years ago. He could add up a lot of numbers in his head.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law’s, George Jasinski and Richard Milinkovich and niece, Stefny Randolph.
John survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Orzel; son, Mathew (Stacey) Orzel; sister, Irene Jasinski; sister-in-law, Irene Milinikovich; grandchildren, Emma, Ashton and Mason; nephew, Daniel Milinkovich; great niece, Jocelyn Randolph; step-niece, Katie (Garret) Schmitz and many other family members and friends in the United States and Poland.
A Memorial Service for John will be held, Friday, October 1, 2021, at 4:00pm at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home, 21809 S Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in John’s memory to, Wounded Warriors Project
https://woundedwarriorsproject
John, I will love you and miss you forever. Life is not going to be the same without you.
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Arthur Hill says: I’ll miss you my friend. Even when you moved to Arizona we kept in touch every year with Christmas cards. I”ll miss not getting one from you. God Bless you and your family!
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Frank Spina says:
RIP my mentor and good friend. Your passing will not take away all the good times we had on the softball field. Without your mentoring I never would have achieved what I did in softball. I will forever be indebted to you. See you down the road, perhaps on a softball field up above.
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Margaret says:
Condolences for the family. John always had a smile!
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Jim Schindler says:
Condolences to the entire Orzel Family!….
Prayers for John & Family ….,Jim Schindler -
Fred Schlessinger says:
It’s hard to believe you’ve been in Arizona for 11 years. I will always value and remember your supportive words and advice. I am a better official, but more so a better person having known you. Rest in Peace my Friend
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Steven Verive - Kristen Haley says:
John,
Your friendship, guidance and support you shared with me when I was a new official will never be forgotten. Prayers to Kathleen and the rest of the family. -
Bill Knight says:
I’m sorry to be writing this instead of saying something face to face. Since meeting you when you went with my sister, I admired you. You were like a father figure to me and was so happy to nickname you Rummy since you always took time to play cards with me. You are blessed and will be missed by everyone you have met. I wish I could be there for your memorial but I am in Equador.
Now to make heaven your next home until we meet again. Your family has prayers and thoughts always. -
George DiMatteo says:
John Orzel was not only a fine umpire for my team’s games, but a gentleman who respected the game & it’s participants. I consider John a friend & was sad to hear the news of his passing. Deepest condolences to the entire family. R.I.P. John. George DiMatteo, retired Lewis University Softball Coach
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Mike Stephenson says:
I would like to extend my deepest condolences. John was always willing to help a fellow umpire. He was always fun to work with. He will be missed.
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Howard Farkash says:
John, I only knew you a little bit but often said, “There’s a guy I would like to know better.” I was happy to be your go-to Medicare guy. The fine way you treated me is reflected in the comments of many who have already written. RIP and comfort to your family.
Arthur Hill 
Frank Spina 
Margaret 
Jim Schindler 
Fred Schlessinger 
Steven Verive - Kristen Haley 
Bill Knight 
George DiMatteo 
Mike Stephenson 
Howard Farkash
I’ll miss you my friend. Even when you moved to Arizona we kept in touch every year with Christmas cards. I”ll miss not getting one from you. God Bless you and your family!
RIP my mentor and good friend. Your passing will not take away all the good times we had on the softball field. Without your mentoring I never would have achieved what I did in softball. I will forever be indebted to you. See you down the road, perhaps on a softball field up above.
Condolences for the family. John always had a smile!
Condolences to the entire Orzel Family!….
Prayers for John & Family ….,Jim Schindler
It’s hard to believe you’ve been in Arizona for 11 years. I will always value and remember your supportive words and advice. I am a better official, but more so a better person having known you. Rest in Peace my Friend
John,
Your friendship, guidance and support you shared with me when I was a new official will never be forgotten. Prayers to Kathleen and the rest of the family.
I’m sorry to be writing this instead of saying something face to face. Since meeting you when you went with my sister, I admired you. You were like a father figure to me and was so happy to nickname you Rummy since you always took time to play cards with me. You are blessed and will be missed by everyone you have met. I wish I could be there for your memorial but I am in Equador.
Now to make heaven your next home until we meet again. Your family has prayers and thoughts always.
John Orzel was not only a fine umpire for my team’s games, but a gentleman who respected the game & it’s participants. I consider John a friend & was sad to hear the news of his passing. Deepest condolences to the entire family. R.I.P. John. George DiMatteo, retired Lewis University Softball Coach
I would like to extend my deepest condolences. John was always willing to help a fellow umpire. He was always fun to work with. He will be missed.
John, I only knew you a little bit but often said, “There’s a guy I would like to know better.” I was happy to be your go-to Medicare guy. The fine way you treated me is reflected in the comments of many who have already written. RIP and comfort to your family.