Dr. Samuel Joseph Marino, 95, of Denton, died Friday, August 17, 2012 at Denton Good Samaritan Village.
Dr. Marino was born in New Britain, Connecticut on November 29, 1916. His parents, Mariano Marino and Josephine Pandolfo, migrated from the mountain village of Melilli, Sicily, in the shadow of Mt. Etna. While in high school he studied trombone with Frankie Donnalfo (Glenn Miller Orchestra), and directed the marching band. He volunteered to serve in the Army during WWII and went from Private to Captain, ultimately as Special Service Officer stationed in Naples, Italy. He attended Louisiana State University on a music scholarship, and completed a bachelor degree in 1948, and graduate degrees in Library Science and Romance Languages in 1949. He received his PhD from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1962. Dr. Marino served as Head Librarian at McNeese State University in Lake Charles Louisiana, and from there moved to Denton, Texas in 1967, where he served as Professor and Head Librarian in the School of Library Science at Texas Woman's University. He led the Bibliographic Seminar in 1977 and 1978, before he retired in 1982.
He was married to Dorothy Quinney on February 14, 1949, she died in 1983; he later married Myrtle (Neale) Nall on June 26, 1989, she died on September, 30 2009.
Community involvement included the first Denton Historic Landmark Commission and the beautification taskforce, as well as, the Denton Public Library Board and the Denton Horticultural Commission.
Dr. Marino was a member of various organizations, including the American Legion Post 71 (Commander Award), American Federation of Musicians, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Sigma Iota (Romance Languages), Beta Phi Mu, Texas Library Association, American Library Association (Life Member), Bridwell Library Associates, Knights of Columbus 4th degree, Denton Noon Kiwanis Club, Denton Community Chorus, Immaculate Conception Church Choir (sometimes director), Denton First Baptist Church Choir, and the Joy Singers (director).
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Leila Marino and partner Gary Beyea and sons Phillip and Galen of Denton; son, Michael Louis Marino and his wife Debbie of Denton; stepchildren, Mindy Klement and Steven Klement, both of Austin, daughter-in-law, Melinda Marino of Denton. Also, nephews and nieces, Richard Bucheri of Hebron, CT, Kenneth Marino of Cromwell, CT Carolyn Bucheri Daigle of Kansas City, MO, Marilyn Bucheri of the Florida Keys, FL and Janice Marino Winalski of Pompano Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Marino on May 31, 2007.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton. Celebration of the funeral mass will be said at 11:00 AM Thursday, August 23, 2012 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2255 N. Bonnie Brae, Denton. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made in Dr. Sam Marino's name to the Knights of Columbus.