Pat Marcellino Sr.

What a smile he had! He loved a good story, a good joke and a good glass of wine! He was a great friend to many, a great cook for the crowds and a great all-around volunteer for his community! Most of all, he was a loving father and devoted Catholic. He was a member of the St. Helena Catholic Church.
Pat Marcellino, Sr. was born on July 26, 1936, in Amsterdam, N.Y., to Peter Ralph and Christine Marie Gatto Marcellino. This is where he spent his childhood surrounded by his Italian family. A second-generation Italian American, he and his family enjoyed large meals, wholesome gatherings and hard work. The family moved to south Florida in 1947. Pat graduated from Seacrest High School in Delray Beach, Fla. He became a proud member of the United States Navy where he served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Shangri-La at the end of the Korean War Conflict.
Pat and his brother, Pete, established Pete's Chik'n Coop, a successful restaurant which served Palm Beach County. While in Florida, he was a member of the Elks Club, the Lake Worth and Boynton Beach Jaycees and Knights of Columbus, and in Boynton Beach served as a Volunteer Fireman, Auxiliary Policeman and Auxiliary Ambulance Attendant and was a member of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.
In 1976 Pat and his family moved to their vacation home on Lake Burton in Rabun County, Ga. He and his family built the Chik'n Coop Restaurant in Clayton and served delicious food for 20 years. He served as a Volunteer Fireman in Rabun County for 36 years at Clayton (Station 1) and Wildcat Creek (Station 11). In addition to serving as fireman, he was Clayton Fire Chief and a Lieutenant at Wildcat Creek for numerous years. He was a member of the Rabun County Rotary Club, the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Black Rock Cross Committee. Pat served as Rabun County Commissioner and was Chair of the Rabun County Hospital Authority. He enjoyed his work with the Rabun County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity where he assisted with 18 houses. He was a faithful supporter of Boy Scout Troop 40 and their fundraising efforts. Pat loved his meal deliveries with The Rabun County Meals on Wheels Program. He enjoyed his time with friends in the Walnut Flats Hunt Club, the Toccoa Deer Hunters Club, and the Knights of Columbus.
Pat is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Peter Ralph Marcellino, Jr.
Pat is survived by his children Gianna Marcellino, Patrick Marcellino, Jr. (Jennifer), Cari Marcellino, Christy Marcellino, their mother, Judith Baghose and his sister, Sonya Costin. He has five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many loyal friends. Pat's extended family for the past few years of his life were the incredible staff and residents of Cannonwood Village in Tiger, Ga. We are grateful for the friendship he was able to enjoy for those special years.
Visitation was held 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 at Beck Funeral Home. A memorial mass was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at St. Helena Catholic Church.
At Pat's request, donations may be made to Richards Kids P.O. Box 68 Clayton, GA 30525 or Rabun Paws 4 Life P.O. Box 216 Clayton, GA 30525 in lieu of flowers.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Pat Marcellino, Sr. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
The Clayton Tribune
Aug. 28, 2025