Alfonso Marino, Jr.

Alfonso (Al) Marino, Jr., 87, of Phillipsburg, NJ passed away on Friday, May 22 at home.   He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also a loyal friend and all-around great guy… everyone who had the pleasure to know Al liked, trusted and respected him.

Alfonso was born May 14, 1933 in Phillipsburg, NJ, the son of Alfonso Marino Sr. and Josephine (Rumore) Marino.  He grew up in a large family and was the youngest of 9 children.  Al graduated Phillipsburg High School in 1951 and proudly served 4 years in the US Navy (1952 – 1956).

He earned his Associates Degree in Accounting from Churchman’s Business School and attended Wilkes College.  Al was the Assistant Treasurer at Phillipsburg Trust, and Comptroller at Rapp Packaging Co. before spending 32 years as Controller at Alpha Lumber & Supply Co. until his retirement in 2006.

Alfonso was married to the love of his life, Rose (Passifume) Marino for 53 wonderful years and they raised 2 children in Alpha, NJ.  They always looked forward to gathering with family and friends.  Rose passed away in 2012. 

Al’s greatest joy in life was spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved, adored and admired him. He was extremely proud of his family: his son Alan Marino and his wife Lisa of Easton, Pa, his daughter Carla (Marino) Dent and her husband David of Bangor, PA and his beloved grandchildren Devery and her husband Corey Palmer, Alan Jr., Adam, Andrew, DeAnna and her husband Shyam Tadoori, Alanna and Abram. Alfonso cherished his 5 great-grandchildren: Kayley, Allison, Addison, Olivia, and Emily, and supported everyone in his family in all that they do. Without fail, Al ended every phone call with “I love you all, and God Bless you”…

Al’s brothers and sisters: Beatrice (Beatty), Nicoletta (Nellie), Onofrio (Nofe) Joseph (Joe), Peter (Pete), Santo (Sam), Antonina (Annie), Mary, all of whom preceded him in death except his sister Antonina (Annie). 

A member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alpha, NJ, Al also belonged to The Knights of Columbus Council 474 of Phillipsburg, and the John Dolak American Legion.  He served on Alpha Borough Council, was VP of the Alpha Board of Education for 15 years, and President of the Warren County School Board for 2 years and was active in the Alpha Athletic Association when his children were young.

Al always liked to get together with family and friends to eat, play cards, discuss politics and was an avid fan of the NY Yankees.  He was an enthusiastic fan of all his grandchildren/great-grandchildren and all their activities, attending as many games, performances, competitions, and events as he could.  He liked to go out to eat but was perfectly content just having a soup and a sandwich, his favorite was Taylor ham.

Services are private under direction of Finegan Funeral Home in Alpha, NJ with graveside services and burial at St. Mary’s cemetery.  Funeral services are private and limited to immediate family due to current Covid-19 restrictions.  Alfonso will be dearly missed.  A memorial and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Charities Diocese of Allentown, PA https://www.catholiccharitiesad.org or Love Ran Red Foundation / Lehigh Valley Hyundai https://www.lehighvalleyhyundai.com/love-ran-red-foundation.html