Marion Paul Spina Sr.

Marion Paul Spina was born to Paul and Mary Spina on September 1, 1934. Marion, not Mariano or Mario as many before him, felt that the name Marion put him somewhere in the “boy named Sue” category--and to be sure, there was no one quite like him! As the second son behind Nick and the elder brother to Buck and Providence, he carved out a space for himself from an early age. Positive, hard-working, and a consummate storyteller, he wore his not-so-common name well. It was with this confidence and self-assuredness that he married his bride Norma Ruth Loden at 17. Known to some as ‘Shorty’, known to umpires as their worst nightmare, better known to her grandchildren as ‘Meep’, and mostly known as ‘yes, dear’ to the man in question, there can be no denying that as a couple, Ruth and Marion were memorable, impactful, and instrumental in the lives they touched.

Their incredible 72 years of marriage was filled with children, countless once-in-a-lifetime adventures, incredible food, grandchildren, service to their beloved Catholic Church, and a level of generosity few can match. Every Sunday was spent making his one-of-a-kind spaghetti sauce that could cure anything, according to his children, and which could and often did feed an army. From helping found St. Peter’s to routinely attending various grandchildren’s artistic and athletic endeavors, there was no better gift Marion could give than his time and spirit. And give he did!

Marion’s strong faith was the cornerstone of so much of who he was, as a father, grandfather, friend, and colleague. It was this faith that gave him his boundless positivity, deep love and connection with the Lord, and an unparalleled turn of phrase. Marion was a well of advice to many in his life. His unique “Peepisms” have been coined into shirts and memory, with things like “If it pleases you then it tickles me to death”, “I’m as flexible as a garden hose in summer”, and “If I were any better, there would be two of me.”

After a full life of wit, impeccable music taste, and a deep love of family, friends, and faith, Marion was called home to Heaven and his beloved Ruth on December 21st, 2024. As the family would say, he had to celebrate Christmas with his bride!

Marion joins his daughter, Marianne Dunlap, grandsons, Jonathan Dunlap and Keith Woods Jr., granddaughter Virginia Slade, and parents, Paul and Mary Spina. He will be missed immensely by his children, Marion Spina Jr. (Oak Shin), Cathy Velotas, Rick Spina, Provy Slade( Bill ), Roslyn Woods (Keith ), sons-in-law, Steve Dunlap and Mike Velotas, daughter in-law, Peggy Allen, his grandchildren, Stacey Lusk (Kyle), Ben Dunlap (Kay), Bom Harris ( Aaron), Provi Berman ( Josh), Salm Gangler ( Kevin), Jimmy Velotas ( Mary), Paul Velotas ( Cara), Peter Velotas ( Stephanie), Margot Morrow ( Chris), Ricky Spina (Kate), Laura Buzin ( Jon), James Woods( Amanda), Mary Kathryn Moshier (Matthew), Thomas Woods( Courtney), Michael Woods ( Cassidy), great-grandchildren, Nolan and Addie Lusk, Violet Cakmak , Charlie and Jade Harris, Will and David Berman, Emma, Michael, Xander, Simon, James, Nate and Eleni Velotas, Christopher, George, and Margaret Morrow, Louise, James Paul, Larkin and Baby Woods, Smith Dunlap, John Mark and Baby Moshier, and Ricky Spina III. He is also survived by his brothers Nick Spina (Rose), Buck Spina (Bena), and sister Provy Murphey (Charles) and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to the wonderful friends and family who visited regularly including Father Vernon Huguley, Barbara and Ed Woods, Fran Spina, Tom Michaels, Jack Cobb, Hugh Slate and Michael Verciglio, Provy and Charles Murphrey. Our caregivers, Wendy Wright, Desia Brown, Angel Bailey, Denise King, and Shumarri Jennings, became part of our family, and we are so thankful for each of you.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover, Alabama. Visitation to begin at 9:00 followed by Mass at 10:30, graveside at Elmwood Cemetery and a reception after graveside at St. Peter’s around 1:30.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to a charity of your choice. Ruth and Marion were fond of the Big Oak Ranch https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bigoak.org/__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!NwAGmfre3kSvQwCuy3-kJnTBz1W6m_J4BQsrk8RrlYw_vIuRtjKhGwnbrYvoV4WSB0a67WNzBm5M88dUEf7-J61KiUW_LGS6IQ$ [bigoak[.]org] , St. Jude’s Hospital, and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. In his final years, Marion expressed gratitude to the Little Sisters of the Holy Family who constantly prayed for him and Ruth. Check to: Little Sisters of the Holy Family, 13259 Magruder Farm Court, Potomac, MD 20854.