Carmine Dante Marinelli

1921 - 2018

November 4, 1921 - January 10, 2018 Carmine Dante Marinelli died in his home in Valley Village on January 10, 2018 surrounded by family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 74 years, Ella (Guerriero) Marinelli, his two children Anthony Marinelli and his wife Cynthia and Patricia Marinelli Casey and her husband Keith, and his four grandchildren Dante Marinelli, Zachariah Marinelli, Christina Casey, Cora Marinelli and one on the way. Carmine was born in Hibbing, Minnesota on November 4, 1921 but moved to Italy with his family in 1931. In 1939, as war clouds were intensifying, he was the only member of his family to obtain a passport and sailed for America on the last crossing of the Rex. After a short time in the U.S., he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1942 and placed in the 3rd Infantry Division's medical corps to serve in World War II. In attempting to treat wounded soldiers and move them to safety, Carmine was hit by a shell fragment and gravely wounded. He carried the shell fragment with him throughout his life. Carmine was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart for his "outstanding bravery under fire." Carmine married the love of his life, Ella, in Staten Island, New York in 1944. In 1947, the young couple moved to California. In 1955, Carmine joined IATSE Local 33 which led him to jobs at NBC, ABC, CBS, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium. At the opening of the Music Center in 1964, he was hired as "Master of Properties" for the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion where he ran the backstage for 34 years until he retired. At his job, he was immersed in opera, symphony, musical theatre, and ballet. He not only built props, set orchestras and took care of the special needs of the performers, but also cooked gourmet Italian meals backstage in a small room that gained fame as "Carmine's Kitchen," cooking for patrons, celebrities and fundraising for children, the homeless, musicians and the arts. Carmine's first and deepest love was his family. He cherished his wife, children, and grandchildren. A Rosary will be held on Friday, January 19th at 7:00 pm and the Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 20 at 10:00 am. Both services will be held at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Interment will follow the Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 20 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles.