Obituary of Thomas Marro

Thomas David Marro, 94, of State College, died Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at his residence. He was born December 4, 1919, in Newark, NY, the son of the late Dennis Marro and Mary Tabaccone Marro. On Nov. 22, 1950 he married Arlene Oberhelman, who preceded him in death on May 12, 2011. He is survived by four children, Dennis Marro and his wife, Cynthia Yost, of San Jose, CA, David Marro and his wife, Catherine Hunt, of Magnolia, MA, Mary Marro and her husband, Stephen Kessler, of Princeton, MA, and Chris Selker and her husband, Frank Selker, of Portland, OR. He is survived by eight grandchildren Leo and Adam Selker, Hilary Kessler Cheesman and Dylan and Eliza Kessler, and Adrian, Devin and Riley Hunt. He is also survived by a sister, Angeline Janto, Egg Harbor, NJ. Thomas spent his first years in the small town of Newark, NY, where he attended grade and high school. There, he was part of an Italian-American community and the fifth of seven children. His parents owned a small farm and his father worked for 50 years at the Jackson-Perkins rose growers. He and his three brothers served in World War II. Tom was stationed in the South Pacific, earned a bronze star and was promoted to staff sergeant. He received a B.A. in speech and hearing therapy and an M.A. in speech therapy and psychology, both from Denver University. He also received a D.Ed. in Mental Retardation and School Administration from Colorado State University. It was in Denver that he met and married Arlene. He was employed by the Polk County Board of Education (Des Moines, IA) as the Director of Pupil Personnel Services. During this time he championed the first Head Start program in Iowa. Upon receiving his doctorate degree he became an assistant professor at Penn State University, where he worked until his retirement, in 1990. During this time he organized conferences and studies and brought in a million dollars of grants. Thomas also served as a hearing officer for the PA Dept. of Public Welfare and further developed the Cresson State School. Thomas also worked with Skills, inc. and the Centre County Association for Retarded Citizens serving as president in 1972. He served on the local school board and was an election monitor. He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. Thomas was intensely loyal to his family and would help them when they needed it. They were always welcome in his home. He was also accepting of all people of any background, religion, color or orientation, perhaps as a result of the persecution of Italian- Americans he experienced in his early life. He was a solid Democrat all of his life. Service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, with a reception following the service at the American Legion Post 245, 1950 Pine Hall Rd, State College, PA 16801. Interment will be at St Mary's cemetery in Geneva, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to "Unfunded Needs" at The Arc of Centre County- 1840 N. Atherton St. State College, PA 16803. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.