Kenneth S. Bain

So sorry to hear of Ricky's passing. He was a great guy back in high school, a-lot of fun the times we spent together. It sounds like he followed that path as a father, grandfather and person. I remember the times we spent at the "apartment" and that he was part of the gang that was honored to join in at the apartment for after football, basketball and any excuse to have a party events. Although we did not stay in touch after High School, Rick alway came to mind when reminiscing those days. My sincerest condolences to Rick’s family and friends.

John Provenzale

I remember Ricky very clearly since he grew up just two doors down from me over on Ardoon St. in Cleveland Heights! One memory that is very striking was an incident that happened in the gym at Monticello Junior HS. when we were all gathered in the gym (in gym class or maybe after lunch?). Anyhow Ricky, who lifted weights and was pretty muscular, wanted to challenge himself and attempt a dangerous stunt (& maybe show off as well). So, he climbed up those wooden dowel rod ladders that they had attached flat to the wall (not pegboards but horizontal 3' wide dowels rods spaced about 12" apart for climbing flat against the wall up to about 10' high). Anyway, Ricky wanted to see if he could jump from the top of those wooden climbing racks over to the 10' basketball hoop which was at least 6' away! So he leaps across with everyone watching him and almost grabs the rim but slips off! He does a hard belly slam on the gym floor and breaks his jaw! For the next 6 weeks his jaw was wired shut which was especially tough for Ricky since he was always talking smack! Otherwise, I remember Ricky as always smiling and happy! He was always loud and excited in conversations! He had his mom's exuberant personality, and his dad was a hard worker and down to earth guy-US Post Office? Anyway, it is hard to believe that he's no longer with us! RIP

Peter A. Vinocur

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Rick. While we didn't stay in touch after high school I often wondered about him, where he was living, did he have a family etc. He was one of my football buddies and just a good guy. I distinctly remember Rick throwing me a half back pass for a touchdown against Shaker Hts. My sincere condolences to his family.

Chuck Hogye

All of us from Noble Elementary & Monticello Junior High are deeply saddened by the loss of Rick Marinelli. He was an entertaining, engaging, and convivial sort, who had an enduring personality and energetic spirit. Attached is a "pic" from our annual "Thanksgiving Day Football Game."  We were a close neighborhood family.

I first met Rick on the day he moved to his Cleveland Heights home on Ardoon Road from Cleveland, Ohio. He introduced himself and invited me over to his home, which was across the street, to lift weights. He introduced me to his dad who was a "Golden Gloves Champion" and United States Postman who walked from home to home delivering U.S. mail. Remember those days?

I invited Rick over to my house the following day and my mom was cooking homemade spaghetti noodles and Italian meatballs (40) in stew for about 6 hours. Around dinner time, I asked Rick over. His reply after eating, "Does your mom cook like that all the time?" My reply, "Yes, all the time." Rick replied, "You must invite me back. That was amazing." That was Ricky, always so positive and energetic.

He excelled in everything he put his mind too. In football, even though Ricky was small for a halfback, he set the Monticello Junior High touchdown record. He scored over 20+ touchdowns in a short season (5 wins & 1 Loss). That means Rick averaged over 3+ touchdowns per game. His childhood buddy Curt Visci (quarterback) were best friends and could always be seen walking the neighborhood. They loved life and lived it to its fullest.

Rick was taken from us before his time; he was so young. He brought such joy into our family every time he visited us. He truly fit into our Italian family. We will cherish the times; Rick visited our home and made us promise to stay in touch with him. He would say, "You have my number, so keep in touch. I mean it. Stay in touch. No excuse now."
Life happened and we didn't spend as much time together as I'm sure we both would have liked. But even today I consider Rick a close friend and always will. I'm proud to know his family and I feel for their loss. Such a good person and friend to so many. I will keep him with me always in what we shared together.
 

Coach Carmen S. Provenzale, Richmond Heights High & Friend

Chuck Hogye

I idolized Rick Marinelli as a little girl because he was a "football star". I was a lot younger than him in school and knew of his sister Carla. One day Gaylord Perry was doing well pitching for the tribe and 70,000 fans were expected at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. A group of us from Carla´s grade were supposed to go to the game with Rick´s family but it fell through, so I ended up going with another family from Noble Elementary School.

Somehow, we bumped into Rick at the game. What were the odds? He was there with his best friend Curt Visci and Rick promised to take a picture of me at my home after the game because he liked my Cleveland Indian´s outfit. Well, the tribe lost, but Rick kept his promise and came over with Curt and took my picture. Every time I look at it, I smile and think of Rick. He was that type of guy. He talked to everybody who attended Noble School, no matter what our age. Rick had a genuine warm and caring spirit which always shined through. He will most assuredly be missed by many. May he rest in peace and may God's peace, which surpasses all human understanding, be ever-present with Rick´s family.

Madeline Znidarsic, Professor/North Carolina

Friend

Chuck Hogye

Sorry to hear about Rick...great guy and I remember him well, too. He was a starting halfback for the Monticello Jr High team that won the conference around '68 or '69. They went 5-1 as I recall. Anyway, I was on the 8th grade team when he was in 9th and Coach Salzburg had us playing the "guinea pig" defense against the 9th grade starters. I remember I was at a linebacker position and the QB Curt Visci handed off to Rick. He came through a wide-open hole...nobody blocked me and I tackled him. Salzburg walked over and put his hands on my shoulders and said, "Rick, you let this little guy tackle you!?!? If you can't run over him, I'll have to find another back." Of course, they ran the same play again and Rick steamrolled me...ended up in the end zone while I wondered what hit me.

Air Force Colonel John "Pee Wee" Larned

Friend