Romilio John Marinelli

Romilio (Rome) Marinelli of Toledo passed away on August 25, 2021, at the age of 92. Rome was born in the Abruzzo region of Italy in November 1928 and immigrated to the United States in 1930 where his parents eventually settled in Philadelphia. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school in 1946 where he served two years. This experience allowed him to graduate from Villanova University in 1952 under the GI Bill. Soon after, he met the love of his life, Teresa, and they married in June 1953. They started and raised their young family in Philadelphia until a new career opportunity brought them to Toledo in September 1963. Rome was a pioneer in automobile financing, beginning his career with GMAC in the Philadelphia and Delaware area. He was recruited by Yegen & Associates, a bank service company resulting in the move to Toledo. Under the Yegen and First National Bank of Toledo agreement, he became very successful in popularizing automobile leasing, traditional lending and auto dealership floor plan financing in the Toledo area. He made it a point to know all the salespeople and owners of the automobile dealerships in town. He made many life-long friends through his business associations priding himself in remembering people’s names and where they worked. After the acquisition of First National Bank by Fifth Third Bank, he established and ran Rome Marinelli & Associates /Rome Marinelli Motor Cars with his son-in-law, Mark Frederick, until 2015. He sold quality used cars, financed mobile homes and developed other lending relationships helping a number of small local businesses. Rome was also incredibly proud of his family, his Italian heritage, and his Philadelphia roots. He and Teresa often entertained business associates treating them to homemade Italian meals. Dedicated in their Catholic faith, they were generous donors and volunteers to area Catholic schools and institutions. Rome’s hobbies once included running, even participating in 10K runs, and woodworking projects. He was most famous for his bread baking skills, taking the time to deliver his homemade loaves to family and friends. Left to cherish his memory are his five children, Vincent (Deborah), Carol (Dennis) Montz, Janet (Ron) Badyna, MaryAnn Frederick (Gary Mertes), Lisa (Matthew) Walsh; seven grandchildren, Allen (Monika) Montz, Kristen (Christopher) Parks, Michael (Kate) Frederick, Daniel (Nikita) Frederick, Joseph (Nicole) Marinelli, Victoria Frederick, Andrew Marinelli; three great-grandchildren, Isaac, Lukas, Gemma; sisters Rosemary Hennelly, Rita McAnally, JoAnn (James) Chadwick; son-in-law and business partner, Mark Frederick. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Teresa; his parents; sister, Rema Giordano; brothers-in-law, Guy Giordano, James McAnally, James Hennelly. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff on the 2nd floor of Kingston Care Center of Sylvania. Special thanks to Bill Sheehan for his friendship. To all the people who loved and admired our father, thank you for your support. A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Gesu Catholic Church, 2045 Parkside Blvd, Toledo, Ohio 43607. The family will receive visitors beginning at 9:45 am in the church vestibule (please follow CDC masking guidelines). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Francis DeSales High School, 2323 W. Bancroft St. Toledo, Ohio 43607; Notre Dame Academy, 3535 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo, Ohio 43623; or to the donor’s choice.