Anthony "Tony" Marinelli

Anthony Marinelli- a loving father, devoted grandfather, and war hero- passed away on December 10th, 2019 at the Dayton VA Medical Center surrounded by the two loves of his life, his grandsons Joey and Tony. Born May 25,1921 in Dayton Ohio to Frank and Marietta Marinelli, Tony’s love for family began. At the age of seventeen, Tony joined The Civilian Conservation Corps where he was sent to Wyoming to begin construction on the railroads to provide what little he could to help support his family which included his older brother Joe and younger sister Mary. At 17, Tony signed up to join the United States Navy where he was aboard the USS WASP as it sunk and he obtained injuries which landed him a Purple Heart for his bravery. Three years later, Tony joined the United States Marine Corp. During a routine patrol in the Korean War, Tony took enemy fire which resulted in seven bullet wounds, another Purple Heart, and a lifetime of gratitude for all who served alongside him. After serving his country, Tony spent his days mastering his bartending skills (which he pursued until the age of 80!) all while raising his two children Anthony and Antoinette. Apart from serving his country, his greatest and most prized accomplishment was becoming a grandfather to Joey Bailey, Tony Marinelli, Amie Harden and Kenneth Butler and great grandfather of two to whom he was loved as "Papalini". The last few years of his life were spent among “his men” at the Dayton VA Medical Center nursing home, Pattons Place, where his family continued to grow with the staff and all the veterans alike. Remembering Tony, and all of his phrases and phases of life will be something that will come easy to anyone who had the opportunity to be in his presence. Tony, you baasst, you were loved and will be fiercely missed every day of all our lives. Oorah. Tony’s viewing service will be held at Westbrock Funeral Home located at 1712 Wayne Ave, Dayton, OH 45410 on December 18,2019 at 10:30am. His Military Funeral Honors will be at the Dayton VA Medical Center located at 4100 W Third St, Dayton Oh, 45428 at precisely 11:30am proceeding the viewing.