Joseph L. Marino

Joseph L. Marino, 85, a 20-year resident of Old Saybrook and a member of St. John’s Catholic Church died Saturday evening, April 25, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Middletown to the late Joseph and Sebastiana Marino in 1940.

He attended Saint Sebastian Catholic School and graduated from Middletown High School in 1959, where he helped organize the Unitones. He sang all his life with many barbershop quartets, and in 2004 won the district championship. He served his country in the United States National Guard for 6 years. He worked for 4 years at Pratt and Whitney, 4 years at MetLife, and 28 years at UPS.

Joe had a big personality and was known for his quick wit and sense of humor to the very end. He loved his music and to be outdoors fishing and crabbing and had an intense love for the Yankees and UCONN basketball. Above all, he loved his family.

He is survived by his loving wife, his “Earth Angel” Diana, and daughters Lynne Gambell of Middletown; Cristina Thomas (Scott) of North Haven; and Carrie Kaufman (David) of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren, Nicholas and Daniel Waite, Kellie and Alyssa Gambell, Marissa and Jessica Thomas, and Christopher and Stacey Oakes, and Ashlynn Kolmer and David Reid Kaufman; and great grandchildren, Gia Waite, Alessandra Navarette and Raelynn and Declan Kolmer, as well as many nieces, nephews and great friends. He was predeceased by his loving daughter, Krista Marino, his brothers Nello (Emily) and Frank (Vera), his nephew Paul Marino, his niece Amelia Marino, and goddaughter Elizabeth Pernel.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd. Old Saybrook, CT 06475. Followed by A Mass Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. John’s Catholic Church, 161 Main St. Old Saybrook. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. John Catholic Church in Old Saybrook or Change A Life Rescue, 9 Ridge Rd. East Haddam, CT 06423.