Anthony T. Marra

After a beautifully full 101 years of life, Anthony Terenzio Marra reunited with his beloved "Chick" just in time for Sunday dinner on February 15. As Frank Sinatra's biggest fan, Tony lived as loudly and emitted the energy of his favorite big band tunes. His volume, humor, and hand gestures were always performing at high tempo, filling rooms, offices, bleachers, and dining tables with animated liveliness.

Tony developed this vigor during the Great Depression, leading his gang of buddies in baseball games and creative storytelling, as well as fiercely protecting his younger siblings in the face of family illness and hardship. His dedication to family and pride in his Italian heritage later led him to his wife, Rose, bonding over similar upbringings, a slight wardrobe malfunction, and swinging moves on the dance floor. Their great love story (and clear obsession with Sinatra) grew with each addition to their family as they welcomed Frank, Nancy, and Anthony.

Tony modeled leadership, efficiency, and the power of setting high expectations at Ford Motor Company, serving as manager in multiple departments. Following 40 years of service, he retired from automotive and stepped into his true calling, role of grandfather. Drawing on his early days of imagination, Tony, affectionately called Papa, designed games from rolls of paper towels, built push-carts from wooden scraps, and created a language all his own to entertain his five grandchildren with silliness, ingenuity, and his undivided attention. Papa brought his famous enthusiasm along with his handheld video recorder to every sports game, theater performance, and school event, simultaneously creating and preserving memories.

Tony filled his later years with boat rides on Union Lake, where he lived in the middle of all three of his children on the Marra Compound. He celebrated 74 years of marriage with "The Chick" before her passing in 2021 and credited this feat to their shared commitment, his comedy, and her cooking.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sarah and Frank Marra; brothers, Frank, Sam, John, Frank, and Johnny; sister, Theresa; wife, Rose; and son, Frank Sr. He is survived by his sister, Sarah Amato (Andy); daughter, Nancy Beers (Matt); son, Anthony Terenzio Marra II, daughters-in-law Dannielle Marra and Susan Marra; grandchildren, Frank Marra (Lisa), Cristina McMinn (Mark), Ariana Vacketta (Thomas), Jonathan Beers (Sidrah), and Isabella Marra; and greatgrandchildren, Addie Rose, Emmy Sue, Juliana Rose, Anthony Terenzio III, Josephine Frances, and Jameson Thomas; and the I Cugini, made up of his many adored nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind dedicated close friends, Tony Graves and Linda Eldridge, who loved him dearly.

A Memorial Gathering will be Friday, February 20, from 3-5pm at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, 1368 N. Crooks Rd., Clawson, Michigan 48017. There will be a Sharing of Memories service will begin at 5pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Mercy High School, University of Detroit Jesuit High School, or Orchard Lake St. Mary's.