Marino P. Eccher

Marino Pierino Eccher died peacefully in his sleep on September 8, 2024 at the age of 95.
Marino was born in Nanno, Trentino, Italy on February 4, 1929, the third child of Davide Floriano Eccher and Candida Bacca Eccher. As a teenager, he survived the deprivations of war-torn Italy and became an apprentice to a local mechanic. A born engineer, he learned how to repair and rebuild every kind of vehicle available in his region and eventually opened his own shop. A few years later, he and his fiancée, Teresa Valentini, of Tassullo, Trentino, Italy seized the opportunity to emigrate to the United States. They married on September 8, 1955, after which he departed for America.
In Aurora, IL, Marino worked for Stephens-Adamson/Borg Warner as a machinist and welder for over 25 years, and then for Walker Process as a welder for another 10 years. He devoted countless hours to repairing and improving his family's home, becoming proficient in electrical work, plumbing, masonry, and carpentry. He generously shared these talents with neighbors and friends. After teaching himself English, he read avidly, and particularly enjoyed biographies, history, and geography. He loved the outdoors and spent many hours foraging for wild asparagus and mushrooms, gardening, wood-working in his shed, and bike-riding. Upon retiring in 1994, Marino and Teresa traveled to many parts of the United States and Canada, as well as to their home country of Italy.
Marino and Teresa were married for sixty nine years. Their marriage was a deep and loving partnership that provided inspiration to all who knew them. A man of quiet but constant faith and loyalty, Marino was a member of Holy Angels parish for over 60 years. His greatest pride was the success and full lives of his children and grandchildren.
Marino is survived by his beloved wife, Teresa of Aurora; daughter Elizabeth Eccher (Sam Goodman) of Sugar Grove; sons David Eccher (Mary) of Woodbury, MN, and Paul Eccher (Amy) of Geneva, IL; grandchildren Marino T. Eccher (fiancée Molly Miller) of St. Paul, MN, Elizabeth C. Eccher of Glendale, CA, Gina McGreevey (Quintin), of Chicago, and Mia Eccher (fiancé Aashay Chavan) of Chicago; his sister, Mary Eccher Bergamo (age 101) of Bolzano, Italy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in the United States and Italy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Davide and Candida Bacca Eccher; his parents-in-law, Enrico and Pia Zanella Valentini; his brothers, Primo, Davide, Ciro, Franco, and Paolo; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11:00am at Holy Angels Church. Fr. Michael Lavan will officiate with interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 1:45pm.
Visitation for Marino will be Friday morning where he will lie in state at Holy Angels Church from 10:00am until the funeral hour at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry.