Robert Michael Mariani

Born in the North Bronx, NY, a graduate of Fordham University, Rob and his brother, John, published a book (“Almost Golden”) about growing up in the North Bronx in the ‘50’s. After college Rob lived in Manhattan for 10 years and then moved to Providence in 1970 where he began a career as an advertising copywriter and creative director. Since then his work has won several national awards for creativity. He was the founder and President of The Creative Communications Club of Providence for 20 years during which he brought creative artists from many realms to talk about their creative process. He and his wife, Jan, raised two daughters, Nicole and Jennifer in Edgewood and Rehoboth.  Of all his achievements, Rob is proudest of the family he helped raise.

An avid, lifelong equestrian, Rob played polo at Fox Lea Farm in Rehoboth for a number of years. He also had some of his comedy sketches produced on The National Lampoon Radio Hour, and wrote radio essays for This I Believe, and for Eric in the Evening’s radio show. He wrote a humor column for The East Side Monthly, his short stories have appeared in Rosebud Magazine and The Newport Review. A life-long jazz fan, Rob wrote for allaboutjazz.com about the many jazz greats he saw in-person. He has been a devoted fan of the John Allmark Orchestra at Bovi’s Tavern in E. Providence where he spent nearly every Monday night for over 45 years.

When he retired from advertising, Rob returned to his first love, Art. His paintings and collages have been in art shows and galleries in and around Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is survived by his loving wife, Jan; his daughter Nicole Mariani-Wilson, son-in-law Stuart Wilson, their children Henry and Calvin; his daughter Jennifer La Luz, son-in-law Vadiano La Luz, their children Scarlett and Ava;

his brother John Mariani, his sister-in-law Galina Mariani; and cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations could be made to two organizations that serve causes Rob cared about: New Urban Arts (newurbanarts.org) and Audubon Society of Rhode Island (asri.org)