JOSEPH MARRA
Joseph “Joe” “Bobby” Marra, formerly from Elizabethville, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, passed quietly to meet his Creator and be reunited with his loving parents and many siblings at 7:57 PM on December 17, 2020. Joe was 88 years old and died at Community General Osteopathic Hospital from complications of the Novel Corona-19 virus [Covid-19]. He had been living in Arden Courts nursing home with the love of his life, his wife Dolores “Dee” Marra, for eighteen months.
Joe, or Bobby, as he was better known in his hometown of Shinston, West Virginia, was the youngest son of Italian immigrants Salvatore Marra and Mary Francis Aiello, who predeceased him, as did his sisters Catharine Marra, Flora Marra, Anna Marra, and Dolores Marra; and his brothers Pasquale Marra, Frank Marra, and Johnny Marra. His surviving sister Mary Pernice lives in Ohio.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Dolores Marra, to whom he was completely devoted, and his three children: Robert Marra, Leslie Marra, and Denise Holden.
Joe lived a full and joyful life and was a well-known, retired teacher at Upper Dauphin High School. He taught Driver’s Education, Physical Education, and Health. He was also the Varsity Baseball coach for many years, was Assistant Football and Basketball coach, and later became the Athletic Director. It’s been said that he taught the majority of people living in Lykens Valley how to drive.
“Bobby” was an outstanding athlete in his youth, excelling at football, baseball and basketball. He was an All-American High School football player at Shinston High School where he was scouted and recruited by John McKay. Subsequently, he attended Oregon on a football scholarship for one season, before returning to West Virginia to play his final three years at Morris Harvey. His legendary skill as a football player is still talked about in his hometown of Shinston. Joe finished college with a Bachelor’s degree and went on to achieve a Master’s Degree in Education.
He and his wife were both Marines. In fact, his life-long love affair with her began in the Marine Corps, at Camp LeJeune, and endured until his death. He was a wonderful father and was dearly beloved by his children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Joe loved to garden, play pinochle, read, fish, and listen to country music.
Joe was cremated and his memorial service delayed until Pennsylvania is once again able to facilitate larger gatherings.
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Photo and obituary from Penn Live.
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