Rip was born on March 24th, 1927, in Steelton, Pennsylvania to the late Samuel E. and Divina (nee Fure) Marsico. In addition to his parents, he is reunited in death with the love of his life, Mary E. (nee Schroll) Marsico, whom he shared 58 years of marriage prior to her passing. His son, Francis A. Marsico, and brothers, Frank Marsico and Donald Marsico also precede him. He is survived by his sons: Ronald S. Marsico, wife Elaine, of Lower Paxton; Samuel Q. Marsico of Lower Paxton; Timothy J. Marsico, wife Maryann, of Lower Paxton; and Michael A. Marsico, wife, Renee Gilinger, of Philadelphia; two sisters: Rose (Marsico) Santoni and Dolores (Marsico) Dougherty, husband Ronald; two brothers: Raymond Marsico, wife Donna, and Edward Marsico, wife Suzi; seven grandchildren: Kelly Marsico, husband Brad Bechtel; Marisa Marsico; Wayde Marsico, wife Judy; Martina Marsico; Dana Lanzino; Angela Rodery, husband Floyd; and Michelina Marsico; seventeen great-grandchildren: Kama Solonoski, husband Julian, Elijah Brown, Leah Brown, Alexander Rodery, Malerie Dozier, Alexis Rodery, Rylan Dozier, Aliyah Rodery, Maleigh Dozier, Maryn Hall, Ariana Rodery, Angel Mwaniki, Angie Muthomi, Alyce Marsico, Ronny Marsico, Libby Bechtel, and Grady Bechtel; one great-great-grandson, Jordan Rodery; two sisters-in-law: Florence Beaver, husband Jim, and Gwen Schroll; one brother-in-law, Rick Schroll, wife Helen. . .as well as his many generations of extended family.
Rip owned and operated Acer Tree Service for 25 years and consulted with Shull’s Tree Service for 4 decades, retiring two years prior to his death. He was a 1944 graduate of Steelton High School and a veteran of the United States Navy, honorably discharged in 1945. He was a devout member of St. Catherine Laboure Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was an active member with the Arimathea Ministry.
Rip was involved in the following organizations: Dauphin County Republican Executive Committee member, Committee Man of the Swatara Township Republican Committee and area leader, charter member of Heroes Grove Committee, member of Santoni-Dininni VFW Post #1213, Lawton Legion Post #998, Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge #2857, Hershey Italian Lodge, board member and former treasurer of the Steelton Italian Club, and past president of the Swatara Township Shade Tree Commission. Rip received the first Dauphin County Council of Republican Women Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 in addition to the endless awards received through mugs, t-shirts, hats, etc. from his grandchildren.
Rip and his wife, Mary, were heavily involved in helping their community charitably and politically. They were sponsors of a Vietnamese refugee family of 13 through St. Catherine Laboure Church whom they provided housing for, and fostered children from Sylvan Heights. They were volunteers with Lourdes House, and Interfaith Shelter. You always were welcomed with open arms at Rip and Mary’s.
To know Rip was to love him. He was the epitome of family, faith, and friendship. He was a
food connoisseur, bocce lover, and great dancer. He loved music, particularly from the ‘40s. He loved his family, his country, and he was proud of his Italian heritage. Rip encompassed his stubborn and strong will until the very end.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 27th at 11:00am at St. Catholic Laboure Church. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, October 26th at St. Catherine Laboure, and Thursday, 10:00-11:00am prior to the funeral mass. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in West Hanover Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Rip’s memory to his Church (St. Catherine Laboure), the Diocese of Harrisburg’s Saint Samuel Center (a part of the Catholic Charities) by contacting the Diocese’s office at 717-657-4804 (ext. 245), or the National Kidney Foundation through kidney.org/donation.
The family would like to thank the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care (Union Deposit), Homeland Hospice, and his home aides for all the dedication and love they provided.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neillharrisburg.com for the Marsico family.
