Mario A. Marano

1944 - 2017

Mario A. Marano

AGE: 73 • Toms River

Mario A. Marano, age 73 of Toms River passed away at his home on August 16, 2017. Born in Acireale (CT), Italy, he immigrated with his family to the United States in 1962 and lived in Newark before moving to Toms River in 1976. He was the Principal Buyer for the Purchasing Department of the County of Ocean and was involved in many civic activities. He was a Commissioner with the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission, past Organizations and Groups Chairman for the Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee, Inc., the New Jersey Representative for C.O.E.S. (Center for the Orientation of Sicilian Emigrants), Consular Correspondent for the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia, the United States Representative for F.I.SB. (National Italian Federation of Flag-wavers), the Vice President, Board of Directors for the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society, the President of the Toms River Township Board of Health, Italian Interpreter and Liaison for the Borough of Seaside Heights, a Member of Arba Sicula, a Sicilian-American Cultural Society, a Past Member of the Ocean County Cultural Planning Task Force. Also the Past Chairman of the Dover Township (now Toms River Township) NJ 2000 Census Complete Count Committee, Charter Member and Past President of The Italian American Cultural Society of Ocean County and Co-Founder and Past Secretary of the Ocean County United Italian American Clubs Association. He was inducted in the Italian American National Hall of Fame in May of 2009 and named "Cavaliere" (Knight) by the President of the Republic of Italy in December of 2009 for his unwavering support and promotion of the Italian culture and all his endeavors on behalf of the Italian American community. He was awarded the "Golden Baton" by the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society. In May 2017 he was bestowed the title of Honorary Citizen by the City of Acireale, Italy, his birthplace.

He had a background and training in classical education having attended schools in Italy before moving to the United States. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He held various positions in a variety of businesses and he held a Registered Public Purchasing Specialist certificate from Rutgers University. Since his immigration to the United States he found the necessity to attend college at night and hold a full time job and in so doing, worked extra hard to prove himself. Despite the language barrier the first years of his arrival, he was able to get his college degree in less than three years attending part time, summers and winter sessions.

He is listed in Who is Who among Italian Americans, published by the NIAF (National Italian American Foundation), Washington, DC. and Marquis Who's Who Publication (September 2011). He was entered in the Congressional Hall of Records, 111th Congress, in May 2009. He is also listed in the book "I Cavalieri in America", 2015 edition.

He always found time to help people especially with matters of immigration, citizenship, pension, passports and other matters and did so with generosity. His main concern, as he felt that the end was near, was the welfare of his wife Mary worrying about her wellbeing without him. SEMPRE AVANTI (Always Forward) was his motto and forward we must go.

He is predeceased by his parents, Paolo and Gaetana Marano, his brother Sebastiano Marano and a step-son, John Da Silva. Surviving is his loving wife and best friend Mary, his nephews Paolo (wife Caterina) Marano, Frank (wife Denise) Marano, his niece Tania Larkin (husband John) and niece Jennifer Marano; his stepson Manuel (wife Rosa) Da Silva. Also a "brother", Prof. Giovanni Tese`, Esq., his wife Anna Maria and his "nephews" Gaspare, Alessandro and Dario all of Naro (AG), Italy, and a large number of relatives and very dear friends here and in Italy. Many thanks to Dr. Girish Amin and his entire staff.

Visitation will be held on Sunday (8/20) from 3-7 PM at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Road, Toms River.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday (8/21) 10 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Toms River. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Toms River.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the NJ Italian Heritage Commission or the local chapter of the Cancer Society in the Marano Family name.