Frank J. Marino

Frank Joseph Marino born June 6, 1937 in Shinnston, WV, died July 18, 2015. He was the son of the late Joseph A. and Rose R. Marino of Welch, WV., and the late Anna Rose Belcastro of Shinnston. He married Patricia Mahaffey and together they raised two children who made them very proud, Lori Ann Marino Mahan, a teacher at Ripley Elementary, and Joseph Michael "Mickey" Marino (deceased July 6, 1988). In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by son-in-law Jim Mahan of Evans and twin grandchildren, Jeana Jo Marino Mahan and James Joseph "JJ" Marino Mahan. Sisters: Tally Deal of Bluefield, VA, Mary Lewis (Lenny) of Welch, WV, and Jo E. Poluszek (Chris) of Fort Mill, SC. Sisters-in-law: Mary Ann Walker (June) and Mary Balcoe, both of Ripley, WV. Additional nieces and nephews include Nikki Deal Conley of Knoxville, TN, Cari Deal and Matthew Deal, both of Bluefield, WV, Tony Lewis of Charlotte, NC, Lynn Lewis Kessler of Elkview, WV, Tracie Lewis Evans of Columbus, OH, Rachel Lewis of Morgantown, WV, Jimmy, John Mark, and Michael Poluszek of Fort Mill, SC. Also surviving are one nephew and two nieces who "followed Uncle Frank and Aunt Pat" and lived with them to attend Ripley High School and remained in the area to work: John C. Walker of Evans, Amy Balcoe and Crystal Balcoe Thaxton of Ripley. They were later joined by another niece, Stephanie Walker Thomas of Ripley. He also had 21 great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and son, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe A. "Peppi", and Jimmy Guy Marino, brothers-in-law, Charles W. D. "Denny" Balcoe, Darrell Balcoe, and Jeff Deal. Marino graduated from Welch High School in 1955. He was a standout player in three sports. As a player and coach, Marino received many honors, but the one that meant the most to him was receiving a scholarship to Clemson University. He later graduated from Concord College and returned to Welch to begin a teaching and coaching career that brought him to Ripley in 1977. His legacy will be the many thousands of students and athletes that he helped motivate to "Believe" in themselves, and/or turn their life around. His influence with these individuals spanned 44 years. He retired in 2004 to become a chauffeur and babysitter for his grandchildren and his dog Minnie. He was a member of West Ripley Baptist Church, Greenhills Country Club, Ripley High School Hall of Fame and the Mid-Ohio Valley Hall of Fame. Visitation will be at the Ripley High School auditorium on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the funeral service to be held immediately following. The service will be conducted by Dr. Franklin Howerton. Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Fairplain Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to make a remembrance gift, the family requests that you send a check issued to the charity of your choice to their address at: 204 Edgewood Circle, Ripley, WV 25271. The family will ensure that the designated charity receives your gift. This will also allow the family the ability to send each donor a personal acknowledgement. Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 7:00m pm Ripley High School Auditorium Visitation: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Noon until 7:00 pm Ripley High School Auditorium