A mass of Christian burial was celebrated March 11 at Saint Rose RC Church for Michael J. Marino, 81. He passed away at his home surrounded by his family on March 6. Michael retired from the Coca Cola Company Food Division as a regional manager in 1996. He was a Democratic State Assemblyman from 1974-1975 for the 32 District in Jersey City. Michael was the former president of the Jersey City Public School Board from 1987 to1988, chairman of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency and chairman of the Jersey City Environmental Commission. Michael moved to Belmar full time in 1992, and continued to be involved in community affairs by attending all Town Council and Planning Board meetings in Belmar.
He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, where he was stationed mostly in Germany. Michael is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rita Marino; his two sons and their wives, Joseph M. Marino and his wife Joanne of Hasbrouck Heights, and Michael Marino Jr. and his wife Marlene of Verona; his two daughters and their husbands, Lori Gage and her husband Bill of Tinton Falls and Lisa Fudali and her husband Harold of East Brunswick; and 9 grandchildren, Kristen, Joseph, Brielle, Dominique, Nicolette, Billy, Jacquelyn, Gabriella and Nicholas. Services arranged by the Reilly Funeral Home, Belmar.