Floyd E. Marino, Jr.

Floyd E. Marino Jr, 77, lifelong resident of Watertown, NY-passed away in his home after a long and brave battle with cancer on August 12, 2025. He has now found eternal comfort in the arms of his son Joseph Charles Marino and granddaughter Lainey Marino.

Floyd was born on November 25, 1947 in Watertown, NY to the late Floyd and Betty (Northway Kinney) Marino. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1965. After graduation he started a degree in Engineering and Economics at Jefferson Community College-which he later completed in the early 80s. Floyd also served in the United States Army.

Floyd started working at a young age and would often tell stories about his paper route, painting with his Dad, working at the Hartman Ice & Storage Company, Hyde Plumbing and Donovan Construction.  He was employed by the New York Telephone Company in 1972 as an installation technician and was promoted throughout his career to several different roles in their engineering department. He retired from Verizon in 2004 as the outdoor planning engineer where he worked in placement logistics. There was not a telephone pole in the North Country that he could not recite by number. Unable to settle into his retirement role, he returned to Verizon as an engineering consultant for several years after formal retirement.

When not working his fulltime day job, he was renovating many houses in the Watertown area on nights and weekends. With a hammer in hand and toolbelt around his waist, his woodworking craftmanship is showcased in many area homes in the handmade cabinets, staircases and molding he created.  Floyd was a 54-year lifetime member of the American Legion Brownville Post 588. He often was heard sharing his genealogy research, views on politics, construction advice and the latest stock market finds with family and friends. Strong in character and opinion, he never apologized to anyone as to who he was or for what he believed. He was brilliantly witty and sarcastic and had the gift for storytelling-reciting poems from memory and an obsession for the discovery of Big Foot.  Floyd blessed his family with annual cottage trips that highlighted his sing along ability to request songs choices that included Dr. Hook, Jefferson Airplane and the Doors.

He is survived by four of his five children-Kelly (Donald) Bates, Kara Mabee, Michael Marino and Sean (Melissa) Marino, 7 grandchildren Ryan Bates, Matthew Mabee, Kyle Mabee, Kala Culligan, Braden Marino and Kalen Marino. He is predeceased by his parents, his son Joseph Charles Marino and granddaughter Lainey Marino. Floyd is also survived by his companion Deborah Chapman and her children Amy (Doug) Guiffrida, Amanda Chapman and Michael Chapman and their children. His ex-wife Mary E. Marino also survives.

Surviving are Floyd’s siblings; Paula (David) Chamberlain, Mary Ransome, Yvonne (William) Griffin, Michael Scriminger and Laurie Rotich, and survived by several nieces and nephews.

In respect of Floyd’s wishes there will be no formal funeral or calling hours, and private burial of cremains will be determined at later date. Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc.  

There will be a celebration of life held at the VFW on Bellow Avenue on Saturday August 23rd from 12-5pm.

Contributions may be made in Floyd’s name to the Sisters of Saint Joseph Retirement Fund, 866 Arsenal Street, Watertown or to the Diocese of Ogdensburg Priest Retirement Fund. In lieu of flowers, as Floyd was an avid landscaper-live plants are welcomed.

To Floyd: may you be at peace, have a stop at Alice’s Restaurant (be sure not to sit on the Group W Bench) and as Big Foot would say “If they can’t believe in you, believe in yourself.” His advice to his children and grandchildren was to “always be more than you think you can be.”

“Now the man of the hour is takin’

His final bow.

 As the curtain comes down, I feel

That this is just goodbye for now”

-Pearl Jam