Orlando (Orly) passed away after a long battle with ALS disease on April 7, 2026 at the age of 65. He was born in the village of Tuburan, Negros Occidental, Philippines to the late Richardo and Gloria Dichoso. Orly was the second youngest of 12 siblings, seven of whom predeceased him. He was uncle (Tito) to 29 nephews and nieces.

He began his education in Tuburan in elementary school where his father was a school principle, before the family moved to the town on EB Magalona where he attended senior school, followed by enrollment in Southwestern University in Cebu City studying dentistry. At school he was known for his keen participation in folk dancing and was always at the top of his classes.

In 1980 he, his parents and two sisters migrated to Vancouver. Here he worked temporarily at a 7-11 store and enrolled in VCC. Later he enrolled in the psychiatric nursing program at BCIT, graduating in 1984. During his career in nursing, he first worked at Woodlands hospital, then the pre-trial centre in Vancouver, St Paul’s Emergency Department, VGH and finally at the BC Psychosis Program at UBC hospital.

In 1993 he met his life partner James Leader. They were together for 33 years marrying in 2023. Orly retired from nursing in 2016. He was then able to concentrate on developing the garden at the house he and his partner had moved to in 2004. He spent quite a bit of time back in the Philippines at the family house and bought the property next door to enlarge the family compound and have more space for the family and a place where he and his partner, James, could live while in the Philippines.

Orly’s great loves in life were gardening, flower arranging, decorating and sewing. Throughout his life in Canada, he took a great interest in the education of his nephews, nieces and grand-nephews in the Philippines, sponsoring many through school and university. Education was very important to him, and he wanted to help improve the lives of the younger generations of his family, still sponsoring great-nephews up until his death.

Orly was diagnosed with ALS in late 2022 and over the subsequent four years fought bravely with the debilitating and continually worsening symptoms of the disease. Despite the day-to-day difficulties he was experiencing he always maintained a positive outlook and enjoyed get-togethers with friends and family and was always smiling whenever he had visitors. He passed away at the time of his choosing, at home, surrounded by his loving husband, family and friends.

Orly’s partner and family thank all the amazing caregivers who looked after him over the duration of his illness and the nurses and OT team from Vancouver Coastal Health who visited him often to check on his condition and assist in his care. Thanks also go to the Palliative Care Team and the team at the ALS clinic at UBC and Dr. Krieger, the neurologist, for all the care and advice they gave.
Thanks too to the ALS Society of BC who loaned so much of the equipment he needed during his illness and for their empathy and support of his partner and family. To all these individuals and organizations, a profound thank you.

Please consider a donation in Orly’s name for the June ALS Society’s annual “Move to Cure” fund raiser to support research for a cure for the disease.

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