Marc R Marcelino

Marc was born Marcelino S Rodriguez on February 19th, 1948 to Parents Marcelino & Evelyn Rodriguez (Gonzales) in Laredo Texas. Marc's parents owned and operated the ABC Music Store in the historic district of downtown Laredo. The store was a place where two cultures came together through music. Marc worked in the store starting as a child sorting 45s and sleeving records. He would often recall selling the first transistor radios at the ABC to many who came from all over Mexico and Texas. He spent his childhood there during the birth of Rock 'n' Roll and vividly remembered selling the first Elvis and Beatles 45s.

Marc attended school in Laredo and graduated from St. Joseph's academy which was run by the very strict Marist Brothers. Marc left Laredo at age 18 to attend Tulane University in New Orleans. He was expelled from Tulane in the late 60's due to his organizing an anti VietNam War protest. Yes Marc was a hippie, and he was a rebel, a chico duro from Texas. Marc eventually received a formal apology and his degree from Tulane.

Marc returned to Texas after college. He opened a very successful, hip clothing store named Fresh Pants near the University of Texas. It was a very successful business and his first of several. The location of Fresh Pants is now a Starbucks. After running the business several years Marc decided to move to Manhattan. He loved everything NYC, especially Broadway. In New York Marc worked as an assistant to famed photographer Roy Blakey. Marc developed great skills working with Roy and became very talented at photography. During Marc's time in Manhattan he was part of the 'in crowd' and hung out in the same circles as Andy Warhol and actress Candi Darling. Marc pursued artistic endeavors including stained glass with his close friend Robert Wilson who remains an accomplished glass artist to this day.

After a few years in cold New York it was time for the next adventure, Florida. He was headed to 'where the boys are' Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In Fort Lauderdale he opened and ran two hair salons, Hair-O-Dynamics and Hair Cut 8. Both were extremely successful. Hair-O-Dynamics was a higher end salon that charged the standard full service cut and style fee. Marc would send customers looking for a less expensive option across the street to Hair Cut 8, where a cut was a fixed $8. He was a brilliant businessman, very intelligent, and creative.

He sold both salons at the end of the Eighties to start a new adventure in Real Estate, encouraged by his partner John. Marc was a successful agent with Coldwell Banker in Fort Lauderdale and eventually got his Brokers License and formed Medallion Properties. Marc and John began investing in real estate, primarily rental properties in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Together they acquired several properties including the 8 unit Victoria Cove garden apartments near Las Olas, which they owned and managed for 24 years along with their other properties. Beginning in the early 2000s Marc and John moved into development. Together they designed a 14 story mixed-use luxury boutique condominium building for the site of Victoria Cove. Marc and John sold the project to an international developer in 2018. The project renamed Victoria 333 has been approved by the city of Fort Lauderdale and will begin construction in the near future. Together they also designed Twin Palms Las Olas for another property nearby.

Marc always had multiple projects going. He was a ball of energy, and needed to be creating constantly. His motto was "it's a great day to be alive". His passion was gardening, art, broadway and fashion.

Marc was predeceased by his amazing parents Marcelino & Evelyn Rodriguez who raised 3 very high achieving children in Laredo Texas and Sister in Law actress Andrea Evans also a victim of cancer.

Marc is survived by his loving partner of 34 years John S. Kuehne of Fort Lauderdale, Sister Betty E. Rodriguez of Austin Texas, Stephen G. Rodriguez of Los Angeles, two nieces and a nephew and many friends all over the planet, some very long term, since childhood.

Marc will be missed by every life he touched, Sweet dreams to my sweet Marcelino.

Marc's spirit was set free on January 29th, 2025.

Marc's mantra was;

"It's a great day to be alive"

In memory of Marc's life:

Spend more time in the garden, it was Marc's passion.