Lino Anthony Marsillo

1934 - 2025

Lino Marsillo

October 19, 1934 - September 3, 2025

Lino Anthony Marsillo passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 3, 2025. He was born in the village of Cantalupo nel Sannio, near Monte Casino, Italy, on October 19, 1934, to Michele (Mike) and Amelia Marsillo. Shortly before the war began in Italy, he, his younger sister and their parents moved to New York, where Mike worked in the Brooklyn Shipyard and Lino attended PS14, near Prospect Park. He remembered playing stickball in the street and skipping school with his friends to spend his lunch money riding the subway to Flatbush to watch the Dodgers play at Ebbets Field. Throughout his lifetime he continued to root for "the Bums."

When in junior high school the family moved to Arlee, Mont., where his mother's parents had already settled. The men of the family worked on the Northern Pacific railroad as did Lino in the summers. Some of his favorite memories were of Arlee and the wonderful people who showed such kindness to the family. Lino enjoyed playing sports in high school especially basketball as an Arlee Warrior.

Upon graduation he enrolled at the University of Montana and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He graduated with a degree in geology in 1957. After a year in the Army, Lino continued his schooling at the University where he received a law degree in 1961. He entered private practice with John Patterson, Sr. in Missoula. Over the years the firm included C. J. Tornabene, Charles Schuyler, and Sydney McKenna. He retired after 52 years of practice. Lino was Secretary/Treasurer of the Western Montana Bar Association and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Montana Bar Association. He was Past Exalted Ruler and Life Member of Elks 383 and he was a strong supporter of University of Montana student athletic programs. He was president of the Grizzly Athletic Association and a member of the Quarterback Club, the Round Ball Club, and the Hoop Club, which supports the Lady Griz Basketball program. Lino enjoyed playing poker with his monthly poker club, and after retiring meeting the "guys" for coffee each weekday morning where he could reminisce or recount all the plays of recent games or events, for he had an unbelievable memory for minutia. He enjoyed being with people and he loved conversation, for he usually had an anecdote pertaining to any topic discussed.

His wife of 59 years, Sherry; their daughter, Pamela and her husband Douglas Bonnie, of Denver; their daughter, Elizabeth; and son, Bradly, survive him.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Filomena Barlow, of Seattle, Wash.

The family appreciates the fine care given to him by the staff at the Village Health Care Center.

A Rosary Vigil will be held at Garden City Funeral Home on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial, followed by a Memorial Luncheon, will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery during a private family service.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Grizzly Scholarship Association, Adams Center 139, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula MT. 59812-8568; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105; St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT 59804.

Garden City Funeral Home