He was born March 20, 1934, in Fredericktown, PA a son of the late Rudolph and Lilia Zendron Marisa.
Rudy was a graduate of Penn State University and received a Masters Degree in education from West Virginia University.
He served in the United States Army.
Rudy was a basketball coach and athletic director at Waynesburg University for nearly four decades.
He was a player on the 1954 Penn State Basketball team that made it to the NCAA final four. During the 35 plus years as a coach at Waynesburg University, he was named Coach of the Year 13 times, he was a four-time Hall of Fame Honoree, he retired seventh all-time NCAA Division III in total wins with 565; and at his Tri-State Basketball Camps, Rudy coached tens of thousands of youths in basketball, attitude and life success.
Rudy was a member of St. Matthias Parish. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the former Elks Club.
On October 18, 1958, he married Jackie Fedorko, who survives.
Also surviving are five children: Kurt (Suzanne) Marisa of Alexandria, VA, Kent (Pam) Marisa of Waynesburg, Kameron (Donna) Marisa of McMurray, Kerry (Mindi) Marisa of Chadds Ford, and Autumn (Todd) Lexer of Malvern; sixteen grandchildren: Kason, Kelson, Morgan, Makenna, Kylie, Carter, Nicholas, Lily, Samantha, Luke, Chase, Gianna, Kathryn, Kolt, Erica, and Allison; a great grandson, Ben; and a sister, Alma Marisa of McMurray.
Deceased are a brother, Wilbur Marisa; and two sisters, Helen Baer and Lenora Ross.
Friends will be received from 1 to 3 pm and 5 to 7 pm on Monday, May 8, 2023, in the Behm Funeral Home, 182 W. High St., Waynesburg, PA 15370. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 11:00 am in St. Ann Church of St. Matthias Parish, 232 E. High St., Waynesburg, PA 15370, with Fr. J. Francis Frazer officiating. Interment will be private in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behmfh.com.
