Obituary of Jose Marino

Jose Marino, resident of Union City, NJ. Originally from Santa Clara, Cuba. Visitation will be held on Friday June 24, 2016 from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Jose Marino (Jose Angel Ramon Marino Gonzalez) passed away peacefully in his sleep in Union City on June 17, 2016. He lived 85 wonderful years and will be missed so very much by his family. He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Luz Alzate, and his son, Javier both from Union City. His children from his first marriage, their spouses and children live primarily in Texas and Colorado are as follows: Joe, Tiffany, Lourdes (deceased), Liliana & Steve Westphal, Heidi and Kyle Harrelson. He has 10 grandchildren (David, Alexis, Marc, Carolyn, Javier, Joshua, Savannah, Brianna, Austin, Amanda) and 1 great grand daughter (Kendall). Although Jose had been a resident of Union City for about 50 years his story starts in Cuba. He was born in Placetas, Las Villas, Cuba on February 28, 1931 He was the oldest son of Jose Marino, a logger of exotic hardwoods and owner of a general store, and Edelmira Gonzalez, a school teacher , general store helper, and owner of a boarding house for college girls after she became a widow. He had two other siblings: an unnamed sister who died at birth and his brother Tomas Marino (Tio Chice) who preceded him in death. Jose lived life with a fun loving nature and a strong work ethic. He was just 13 when his father passed away and told him he was now the family patriarch, which lead to his strong sense of responsibility for his family. His work life began as a candy salesman. During the day, he supplied general stores with lifesavers and Chiclets in las Villas, Cuba. At night he went to “La Escuela de Comercio” (business school) to obtain a degree in accounting, graduating in 1951. After meeting Maria Gonzales in school, they married in January 26, 1952 and he began a career at Esso, a division of Standard Oil. Later, Jose was promoted to Vice President of New Product and Development on island. He had the responsibility of deciding where new gasoline stations were going to be opened throughout Cuba. One day, after Castro took power in Cuba, Jose went to work at Esso to find that all the American employees had fled overnight and his job and company were gone. The arrival of communism to the island of Cuba forced Jose and his family to leave their beloved Cuba on October 1, 1961 and move to the United States where they first settled in Miami, Florida. After living in Florida for 2 years with scarcity of jobs, Jose was offered work and re-settlement in Denver through Catholic Charities. The Rocky Mountain News highlighted our family as one of the first Cuban families to move to Denver. Jose lived, worked and was divorced in Denver. The divorce prompted his move to New Jersey to reunite with his mother and her family who had settled here after they left Cuba. Jose rebuilt his life yet again. He met Luz Alzate in his mother’s house, married and worked various jobs but eventually fell in love with real estate and leasing. He became a superintendent of a building and eventually became a landlord himself. During his career he owned a building in Florida and New Jersey and had a night job in a high rise building. He retired at 65 of age. Jose was a devoted Christian frequently reading the Bible. He would read his Bible in the morning and at night and ask the Lord to bless his family. Jose participated in Spanish Bible class at Sagemont Church while visiting his children in Houston, Texas. In that class he heard Stella Walsh’s testimony, a Catholic nun who had become born again. Her testimony energized his conviction and he prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior. That night, both he and his grandson David were baptized. He was counseled to find a Bible teaching church in New Jersey. He started attending the Spanish English Baptist Church on 44th Street just 2 blocks from his house. He loved Pastor Ruiz’s messages. When not working to provide for his family, he enjoyed playing chess, Chinese checkers, visiting family and friends and even having the occasional vacation to the shore. His skill at chess may not be missed by those he often beat, but his big heart, helpful nature, accepting attitude and love will be missed by family and friends.