Richard Anthony Marelli

Richard Anthony Marelli - MARELLI, RICHARD ANTHONY (DICK)" A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, died peacefully at his home in Oakmont after a long illness on February 15, 2008 at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose and Elizabeth Marelli and his sister, Virginia Whelihan. Dick was born and raised in Rockford, IL where he was active in football and basketball through high school. Dick is survived by Shirley, his loving spouse of over fifty-six years; son, Mark, son Dan (Janet), daughter Laura (Nick) Udall, son Scott and grandchildren Rachel, Steven and John Udall, Richard Marelli, and Michael and Matthew Marelli. Dick attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He started his thirty-eight year career at General Electric in Schenectady, NY, where he met his future bride. He then transferred to Erie, PA, in locomotive marketing where he traveled the world selling locomotives, including the first 150 diesel electric locomotives to the Union of South Africa. Dick and Shirley also started their family in Erie, where all four children were born. It was then on to Cleveland, OH, where he spent nine years as Eastern District Manager of Locomotive Sales. Next stop was Oakland, CA where he was manager of one of GE"s service shops. In 1971 he returned to Erie, PA, as Manager of Sales and Service of the Off-highway Equipment Department and he completed his career in Cincinnati, OH, as a sales manager in the Aircraft Engine Marine Division. Dick is a veteran of the US Navy, WWII, serving aboard the USS Nashville. He was a member of Life Loyal Sigma Chi, past president of the Oakmont Village Association Board of Directors, past president of the Oakmont Tennis Club, as well as a member of the Oakmont Hiker"s Club. Dick was a Eucharistic minister at Star of the Valley Catholic Church, where he chaired the Samaritans Club and co-chaired the annual Festival of Lights. Dick and Shirley lived in many places, however, the best move came when Dick retired and they relocated to Oakmont in Santa Rosa, CA. Dick was forever an athlete and he continued to jog, hike and play tennis throughout his seventies. He and his wife loved adventure and took advantage of their retirement years by traveling throughout the world. Dick had an insatiable passion for life, compassion for others and his community and most importantly a great love of his family. He leaves a great legacy in his family and his absence leaves a great void in their lives. Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at the Star of the Valley Catholic Church, 545 White Oak Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, 95409. Private interment will be held at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Santa Rosa. As an expression of sympathy, family prefers memorial contributions be made to either the Sonoma County Humane Society (P.O. Box 1296, Santa Rosa, CA, 95402)-or-the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital-Building Fund (1165 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, 95405). Arrangements entrusted to: LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL, Directors (707)539-2921