Grace "Mama" Scorsone Marino

"Grace "Mama" Scorsone Marino, 94, of Agrigento, Sicily passed away peacefully in Baton Rouge on Thursday, June 22, 2017. Mama was a school teacher in Italy until she immigrated to the United States in 1958. She founded Gino's Italian Restaurant in 1966. Mama served the Baton Rouge community for more than 50 years. Throughout the years, she was recognized and honored with numerous awards. In 2007, Mama was the first honoree and namesake of the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, she was inducted into the Louisiana Restaurant Association Hall of Fame and also inducted into the Baton Rouge Business Awards and Hall of Fame. Under Mama's leadership, Gino's restaurant won many local, state and national awards including 225 Magazine Best of Italian more than 11 times over the years. Mama's talents and vision made Gino's a legendary culinary destination in Baton Rouge. Grace "Mama" Marino is survived by her children, Frances Marino Drago and husband Sam; Gino Marino and wife Karen; Lawrence Marino and partner Karen Sanders; her seven grandchildren Chris Drago; Kyle Drago and wife Johnette; Leslie Gugliuzza and husband Tony; Christina Marino; Vincent Marino; Gino Marino II; Gabrielle Marino; seven great-grandchildren Maddie Drago; Meghan Drago; Marisa Drago; Anna Drago; Nicolas Drago; Gracie Pecorara; Brennan Pecorara; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Vincent Marino; her sister, Sister Teresa Scorsone; her brothers Benedetto, Salvatore, Filippo Scorsone. Mama was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many and took great pleasure in caring for and being with her family. She held a strong faith and a deep sense of commitment to the Baton Rouge community and her Gino's family. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Gerald Miletello and staff, Dr. Carl Luikart, Dr. Bryan Griffith and all the nurses and staff at the Carpenter House. The family also extends many thanks and much love and gratitude to all the employees at Gino's Restaurant and to all the many loyal customers over the years. Pallbearers will be Chris Drago, Kyle Drago, Vincent Marino, Gino Marino II, Anthony Marino, Larry Marino, Anthony Gugliuzza, Mansour Abdalla. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Carl Luikart, and Dr. Gerald Miletello. Charles Noto, Dr. Dale Politz and Dr. Gino Scorsone. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 26 from 5:00-9:00 PM at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street in Baton Rouge. On Tuesday, June 27 visitation will be held from 8:00-10:00 AM followed by a 10:00 AM Mass celebrated by Father Cleo Milano and Father Miles Walsh at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Avenue in Baton Rouge. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.