Italo A. "Gino" Marino

Italo Marino ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home on Mar. 17, 2026.A strong heart that was selfless can no longer support the man who loved life and gave so much of himself. With a heavy heart, full of cherished memories, we announce the passing of Italo (Gino) Marino on March 16, 2026.Italo A. Marino (Gino) fought a multitude of illnesses for several years with grace, courage, humor and willpower that amazed all. Italo had such zest for life, love of family and friends that it drove him to try every means possible to overcome each new diagnosis.Italo was born on September 8, 1940 to Michele and Nannina (Mudano) Marino. The youngest of five children he was born at home on Front St, Hartford. Graduated from Bulkeley High School and The Culinary Institute of America. He was a Charter Member of the Connecticut Chefs Association, founded by his brother Joe, and held several executive positions. He later went to Central Connecticut College and earned a teaching certificate. In 1970 he was the first instructor for the Farmington Valley Association for intellectual and developmental disabilities (FAVAR) initiative. At FAVAR he worked with special needs adults to develop employable skills and was affectionally known as "Mean Gene the Mixing Machine" by his students.Through the years he worked in the food and entertainment industry at country clubs, owned his own restaurant, Someplace Else Restaurant (Vernon) and was the Food Service Director at Avon Old Farms School. He later worked for and retired from The Hartford Provision Company. As a salesman, he was respected not only for offering quality food products but sharing his expertise and recipes to many clients, who became friends.He maintained lasting friendships, some that started in grammar school. Golf was a passion and enjoyed his Cape Cod golf weekends with his buddies. As an avid UConn Women's Basketball fan, he never missed a game and attended several Final Four tournaments.If a man's wealth was measured by love and respect, Italo was a very wealthy man. His family and friends were his lifeblood. His love for friends and each member of his family has been returned during his final days. Left to mourn his passing is his wife, Susan D'Amato Marino; his daughter, Cori-Ann and husband David DiMaggio; granddaughters Sara Marino and husband Matt Cooper; Tarra Marino and wife Kristina Nardone; Haley DiMaggio and finance Lance Newhall; great-grandsons, Wesley and Ford Cooper; his sister, Salvatrice Yacavone; brother-in-law, Edward D'Amato, many beloved nieces and nephews and good friend, Stanley Pratson.He was pre-deceased by his parents; brothers Anthony and Joseph Marino and sister Angela Bianco; brothers-in-law, Joseph Yacavone and Vito Bianco and sisters-in-law, Jean and Mary Marino; nephews Michael and Fran Marino, Anthony Bianco and niece, Dianne Yacavone.A special thank you to Maddie and Rosemarie of Beacon Hospice who made his final days comfortable.In lieu of flowers, please perform an act of kindness in his name or donate to St. Jude's Children Hospital or charity of your choice. His family will receive friends on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 2-5 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10 a.m., meeting directly at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 673 Ellington Rd., South Windsor. Burial will follow at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.