James A. Marino

BOARDMAN - James Marino, 72,  formerly of Struthers, passed away the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, due to complications from a hard fought battle with cancer. He passed peacefully at the Hospice of the Valley Hospice House where he was surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was born Oct. 28, 1946, in Youngstown, a son of Albert and Ann (McCreary) Marino.
Jim graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in 1965, served in the Army National Guard for six years and entered the trade of carpentry. He went on to work for Struthers School System and Columbiana Schools for a combined 30 plus years. Over the years he developed strong relationships with faculty, students and administration; touching the lives of many with his outgoing personality, witty comments and willingness to go above and beyond. Anyone who passed through the halls of any school he worked in knew Jim and is sure to have a funny story to tell about him.
In 1967, he married Betty Rovnak Marino of Youngstown and resided in Struthers until 2011 when they moved to Boardman. Together they were an unstoppable team when it came to raising and loving their daughter, Shellie. They were a bottomless source of love and support to family and friends. They both shared the gift of serving others. You could not impose on or inconvenience them with any request; it would be received not only with a yes, but with a smile and a joke. Their capacity for love had no bounds.
Jim had a love for playing cards, going to the casino, and traveling to visit his daughter. Everywhere he went he was making new friends and living life to the fullest. He left an impression on everyone who had the privilege of meeting him and has left many people with great memories of their time together. There was never a dull moment when Jim Marino was around; he has left a void in many people’s hearts.
James leaves his daughter, Shellie Marino of Atlanta; brother Joe (Carol) Duvall of Austintown; sisters-in-law Helen Walley of Youngstown, Ann (Duke) DiPietro; and brother-in-law George Rovnak of Poland. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, many of whom he was very close with.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; sisters-in-law Martha Prosser and Veronica Zetts; and brother-in-law Richard Rovnak.
Per Jim’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services.
As a tribute to him and his legacy of making a positive impact in the lives of others, his family has established the Jim “The Janitor” Marino Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded annually to deserving Columbiana High School students pursuing post-secondary education.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, Jim’s family requests that monetary donations be made to this scholarship fund. Please send donations to Columbiana Schools, Attn: Treasurer’s Office, 700 Columbiana Waterford Road, Columbiana, OH, 44408. Please make checks payable to Columbiana Schools and notate in the memo: Jimmy Marino Scholarship Fund
 

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