MARRONI, Gabriel A. 1925 - 2016

MARRONI, BUCCELLI, SHEELEY, YOUNG, STAMBAUGH, NELSON, LALA

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/12/2018 at 12:50:40

Gabriel A. Marroni, 90, of Mason City, passed away Friday (September 2, 2016) at the Muse-Norris Inpatient Unit, Hospice of North Iowa.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday (September 8, 2016) at Epiphany Parish, Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 North Adams, Mason City, with the Reverend Neil Manternach officiating. Burial will be in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City following the service, with full military honors conducted by the Mason City Veterans.

Visitation will be held Wednesday (September 7, 2016) from 4 until 6 p.m. at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, with a Rosary at 5:30 p.m. followed by a scriptural wake.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

Gabe was born September 26, 1925, to Antonio and Louise (Buccelli) Marroni in Mason City, the youngest of 11 children who were all raised on “Lehigh Row,” a housing setup for immigrant workers on the grounds of Lehigh Cement Company.

He was drafted out of high school at the beginning of his senior year to serve in World War II. Upon his return from the war, he completed his senior year at Mason City High School, graduating in 1947, and played on that year’s State Championship Baseball team. He then attended Mason City Junior College (now North Iowa Area Community College).

On August 23, 1950, he was united in marriage to Patricia (Pat) Sheeley at Holy Family Catholic Church. To this union were born three children: Roxann (Jerry) Young, Mason City; Tony (Tonna) Marroni, Anderson, SC; and Louise Buccelli-Marroni, Mason City.

In that same year, he resumed his distinguished military service of 41 years. Gabe served during war and peacetime and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1984 with the rank of Sergeant Major, only to return to duty during the Persian Gulf War.

His military service included duty with the U.S. Army, Army National Guard and the Pentagon. Gabe was known for consistently maintaining the highest of military standards; his unit never received anything less than a ranking of excellent under his command.

Gabe had a passion for walking, fast pitch softball (original inductee in the River City Softball Hall of Fame), coaching little league baseball and meticulously maintaining his lawn and home.

Above all, Gabe cherished his faith and family and was often known around Mason City as “the man who walks.”

He is survived by his three children; grandchildren Brenton Young, Kara Stambaugh, Gabriel Marroni, Britney Marroni, Anthony Nelson, Nicholas Nelson and Jordan Lala; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Gabe was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, “Patty,” of 61 years; and siblings Nancy, Marie, Lucille, Wuttie, Jenny, Mary, Yolanda, Angeline, Lorraine and baby Rose at birth.