Nicholas Marrone Obituary

Nicholas J. "Nick" Marrone JOHNS ISLAND - Nicholas J. (Nick) Marrone died Monday night, December 6, at Roper Hospital following months of treatment for lung cancer. A memorial service in celebration of his long, full and joyous life will be held Saturday, December 18, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Rd., Charleston, SC, 29414. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., before the service at 2 p.m., followed by a reception at Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407. His rich, colorful and complex personality was molded by his being a young immigrant of Italy, a child of Depression, an airman in WWII, his success as a homebuilder and a big-hearted supporter of family and friends. Nick was born January 27, 1924 in Fragneto L'Abate, Italy, in the mountains above Naples and Benevento, the first born son of Valentino and Pasqualina Marrone (both deceased). He immigrated with his mother at age 5 in 1929 to the US to join his father, right at the start of the Great Depression. Growing up in The Bronx, NY, he worked every possible odd job, starting at age 5, to help support the family, including shining shoes, delivering poultry, selling Grit papers, unloading ships on the docks, being errand boy to artist/sculptor Pierre Bourdelle, filling bean roasters at the Saffron Coffee Company and mixing dough at the Nabisco factory. His strong, husky body, hustler spirit, and winning personality helped his family survive and developed his work ethic, drive and service to others for the rest of his life. He was further defined by serving 3 years (1943-45) in World War II in the Army Air Force in the South Pacific. He was a Sergeant in the 12th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, 13th Air Force, which fought in the campaigns of China, Luzon, New Guinea, Southern Philippines liberation and Western Pacific, including Guadalcanal. He was most proud of his Squadron's crucial role in the shooting down of the plane transporting Admiral Yamamoto, Japanese commander and master-mind of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their feat was a pivotal point in the Pacific Theater war. Following the war, Nick decided to forge his future in the post-war bourgeoning Territory of Hawaii, working as an Army Air Corps civilian serving in the Hawaiian Air National Guard, and working part time for Hawaiian Airlines, transporting commercial cargo such as orchids, fish, pigs and mail among the islands. He lived nine years in Honolulu, where he married his first wife Connie, a gusty lady of the 1940's from the Pennsylvania coal mining region who also pioneered in post-war Hawaii. There, they enjoyed the birth of two sons, John and David, and Nick built his first custom home for his family overlooking Pearl Harbor. In the early 1950's, they returned to the Continental US for better schooling for the boys. Nick became a residential homebuilder and developer, first in Michigan, where sons Mark and Scott were born, then later in Ohio where the family put down roots and over the years Nick built many hundreds of homes and apartments. Following the premature death of Connie, his wife of 25 years, Nick married Joyce Jadlow and adopted her three sons of previous marriages, Victor, Sean and Robert. In the mid-70's, he moved his building practice to the "pioneer" resort islands of Seabrook and Kiawah, expanding his custom construction and remodeling throughout the Lowcountry. It was at Seabrook Island that he met and married Gale Buchanan Young. They would have celebrated 29 years of deep devotion and rich, wonderful experiences on their anniversary this New Year's Day. Nick accepted Gale's daughter Jacquelynn as his own. Nick and Gale worked together in real estate and construction; built commercial office warehouses on Johns Island; traveled extensively; entertained with Nick's fabulous cooking; nurtured a stable core for their extended family; and were active in community affairs. Nick was a member of the Charleston Trident Homebuilders Association (top statewide member recruiter), VFW Post 445, American Legion Post 147, Sons of Italy, Air Force Assn., the "Lightning" P-38 Assn., and the 13th Army Air Force Assn. He was a charter member of the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC, and the WWII Museum in New Orleans. He was a part of the inaugural Honor Flight from Charleston, a highlight of his life. He was a charter financial contributor to the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For several years he was sponsor of the Johns Island Little League football team, the Hurricanes. His credo was to "give back", and throughout his life he was generous in his philanthropies to community organizations as well as support his family. He was predeceased by his parents Valentino and Pasqualina; his third son, Mark, who died in infancy; and his sister Marianna Marrone Margiasso. He is survived by his beloved brother Louis Marrone and his sister-in-law Mary; his wife, his sons, his adopted stepsons, his step-daughter and her husband Nick Cotten, and his beloved grandchildren, Matthew, Lindsay, Jessica, Katherine, and Mollye Marrone; Rachel and Nikki Cotten; and Evan and Reid Krebs. The family wishes to thank his many competent and caring healthcare providers and friends and family who provided much needed support during his illness. Memorial donations may be made to: VFW Post 445 Building Fund, 1639 Camp Road, James Island, SC 29412; Our Lady of Mercy Outreach, P. O. Box 607, Johns Island, SC 29457 or Church of St. Raymond, 1759 Castle Hill Ave., Bronx, NY 10462. 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