Temple Students Who Overdosed Loved Music, Traveling, Roadtrips

PHILADELPHIA – The two young men attending Temple University who died from drug overdoses recently are now being remembered for their passions in life following their untimely deaths.

Michael Paytas, 24, of Ridley Park, died on Monday, Nov. 27.

Paytas is remembered for making music, his love of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia," being a great cook, and overcoming dyslexia.

Paytas was found unresponsive in Temple's Samuel Paley Library on Monday, Nov. 27.

James Orlando, 20, of Exter Township, died Saturday, Dec. 2 at his apartment in Philadelphia. Orlando was a passionate traveler, and spent time visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Italy.

The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office ruled both Paytas' and Orlando's deaths accidental drug overdoses. Both men were students at Temple's Fox School of Business.

Below are the full obituaries for Paytas and Orlando:

Michael G. Paytas

Obituary courtesy of Cavanagh Funeral Home

Michael George Paytas, 24 of Ridley Park passed away suddenly on Monday Nov. 27, 2017. He was born in Upland, PA to David J. Paytas, Sr. & Melinda B. Lilley and was a graduate of Ridley HS and a 2017 Graduate of the Fox School of Business at Temple University. Michael Majored in Business Marketing and Minored in Guitar Theory. He was preceded in death by his grandfather's, George Lilley and George Paytas.

Michael was very musically inclined and had a great ear. He started playing the guitar at 9 years old and enjoyed jamming with his father and friends whenever the mood struck. Michael will certainly be missed not only for his huge contagious smile, but also his affectionate one of a kind personality and fun loving friendship. He LOVED the TV show "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". His favorite actor was Glen Howerton (Dennis) and had the D.E.N.N.I.S. System committed to memory. Michael laughed for hours watching the show and found a distinct humor correlation to the life that surrounded him. He enjoyed driving and taking long trips with his mother to visit his Grandmother in Lancaster. Michael also enjoyed cooking and he excelled at creating new recipes that were both healthy and delicious. In spite of battling dyslexia, he never gave up with his school work. He had an unmatched dedication to achieve academically through his work ethic and attention to detail.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his brother David J. Paytas Jr., Grand Parents: Eleanor Lilley and Mary Paytas.

All services will be held in Delaware. Family and friends are invited to attend Michael's visitation on Saturday December 9th from 10 –11 AM at the Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church (McKennan's Church) 500 McKennans Church Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808. His funeral service will immediately follow at 11 AM. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery.

James A. Orlando

Obituary courtesy of Bean Funeral Homes

James A. “Jimmy” Orlando, 20, of Exeter Twp. and of Philadelphia, died Saturday morning in his residence in Philadelphia.

He was the adopted son of James J. and Susan T. Quaglia, who raised Jimmy since he was an infant.

Born in West Reading, he was a son of the Joseph F. Orlando who died on May 10, 1999 and Alice (McGarvey) Orlando who died June 8, 1998.

Jimmy was a 3rd year business student in the Fox School of Business at Temple University, Philadelphia where he was Junior Class President of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Alpha Beta Chapter, and was Posthumously elected Treasurer of the Fraternity.

Jimmy loved to travel and visited England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and most recently visited Italy with his longtime girlfriend Emily Grosscup of Shillington. In 2015 while a Senior at Exeter High School Jimmy served as an intern at Goodlife Financial Services which prepared him for acceptance into the Fox School of Business.

Jimmy was a member of St Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Reading.

In addition to his adopted parents and his girlfriend, Jimmy is survived by his sister; Kathleen B. “Katie” Orlando, of Trevose, PA. 2 Step-Brothers; Louis A. Quaglia, husband of Kim (Buzelewski) Quaglia, Exeter Twp., and Michael J. Quaglia, husband of Stacey (Montileone) Quaglia, Exeter Twp. 3 Step-Sisters; Dene’ (Quaglia) Bonte, Mohnton, Alicia D. (Quaglia) Kline, wife of David Kline, Blandon and Allison D. (Quaglia) McDonough - Meyers, Freehold, NJ. He is also survived by a Half-Brother; J. Nicholas Orlando of Reading and his paternal grandmother; Barbara (Kondracki) Orlando, widow of Joseph Orlando, the former Chief of Police in Sinking Spring, of Sinking Spring.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Catharine of Siena Roman Catholic Church 4975 Boyertown Pike, Exeter Township, Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 12 Noon, Reverend Monsignor John J. Grabish, Celebrant. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Bean Funeral Home, 3825 Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring, Friday, December 8, 2017 at 8:00PM Amy S. Landis, Certified Celebrant officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends in Bean Funeral Home Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, with Jimmy’s parents. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association PO Box 4029, Easton, PA 18043. Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.