Orlando William “Bill” Battalia, a Boston-born and New York-bred family man, business owner, and man of faith, died on May 25, 2017, in Larchmont. He was 88 and died in his sleep, with family, and loving caretakers, at his side, said Dolores Battalia, his wife of 60 years.
Mr. Battalia was raised in Brooklyn, and his love of the ocean and the sunshine began with riding his bicycle down Ocean Parkway from Midwood to Brighton Beach. He lived most of his life in Larchmont where, even recently, he could be seen sitting on a bench in Manor Park relishing the view of Long Island Sound. Weekends and summers, he savored Westhampton Beach, enjoying long swims, the evening light, and his children and grandchildren gathered around him.
In 1963, he founded Battalia Winston International, an executive search firm with headquarters in New York City. In 2013, the firm, with offices across the world, celebrated 50 years as a leader in the industry and continues to be named one of the top search firms in America and abroad.
Mr. Battalia attended seminary prep school in Brooklyn and graduated with a degree in theology from Cathedral College. After enlisting in the Army, and serving with peace-keeping forces in Germany during the Korean War, he returned to New York City and received a master’s in business administration from Columbia University. He worked for several large firms, including ITT, before starting his own company.
Mr. Battalia’s time in Germany ignited a lifelong love of travel, including visits to China, Russia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, where he created partnerships leading to an international consortium of executive recruiting firms.
Fundamentally, Mr. Battalia was a teacher, offering his insights and experiences to colleagues, family, and many adolescents during his years leading CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes and as an active member of CFM (the Catholic Family Movement), survivors said. Retirement opened new opportunities for him to share his skills and wisdom. He spent time in Zimbabwe, through the International Executive Service Corps, helping two young women launch a start-up recruiting firm. He served on the board of The Guidance Center of Westchester. He spent almost two decades as a significant contributor to, and leader of, the Senior Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) of White Plains, offering free, hands-on advice and assistance to individuals looking to start their own businesses.
Mr. Battalia was the author of a book titled “The Corporate Eunuch” that challenges business executives to change their perspective. A completed memoir of his life and experiences remains tucked in his desk drawer.
Mostly, he will be remembered for his incredible love of family and friends, survivors said. He had close, supportive, and unique relationships with each of his six children and he treasured his time with his 13 grandchildren, providing them glimpses of what it means to be devoted to family, church, and to have a wicked sense of humor. He remained in close contact with his only sibling, his sister, Patricia. He provided love, support and encouragement to his wife, Dolores, and stood proudly by her side as she pursued law school, a political career, and made her own significant contributions to the community. Survivors said that she remained his undeniable rock, and provider of the fine cooked meals he loved as he coped with the losses of aging. He remained in contact throughout his life with his boyhood friends from Brooklyn, as well as with the headmaster and family he befriended when stationed in Germany. He made new and abiding friendships with his European partners, as well as with his fellow members of SCORE.
Mr. Battalia is survived by his wife, Dolores Anne Battalia; children, Stephen Battalia (Beata Wolniewicz), Julienne Battalia (Giacomo Sturniolo), Lisa Battalia (Rob Mahoney), Christina Battalia (Oliver Maggard), Gregory Battalia (Bonnie Battalia), and Paula Brand (Jason Brand); grandchildren, Michael Battalia, Alessandra Battalia, Alaya Battalia, Tamira Vojnar, Matthew Anthony, Caroline Anthony, Connor Mahoney, Myles Monaghan, Sarah Monaghan, Liam Monaghan, Caroline Maggard, Olivia Maggard, Ella Battalia, Andrew Battalia; and a sister, Patricia Cunningham.
A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Larchmont. The family will receive friends at the Larchmont Yacht Club immediately following the service.
Memorial donations may be made to The Jansen Hospice & Palliative Care, 670 White Plains Road, Suite 213, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583.
on Jun 22, 2017