Obituary of Richard J. Marrese

Dr. Richard J. Marrese, age 86, passed away on Thursday, September 28th, 2017. Richard was born, baptized and raised in the Bronx, NY, the son of Italian immigrants Valeriano Marrese and Rose Fornabio.  Richard traveled the world, but his heart and his home were in Wyckoff, NJ, and later Somerset, NJ. A Bronx upbringing sprouted roots of baseball, Frank Sinatra, faith and family in his soul. A Cornell education gave him branches and a beautiful family shared with his wife, Eleanor Marrese, became the foliage that made Richard complete. A career agronomist, Master Gardener and former President of the American Weed Society, Richard was most proud of the family tree he planted in Wyckoff, and the faith he instilled in them.  Richard is survived by Eleanor, children Linda Hoover, Rosemarie Sanderson, John Marrese and Stephen Hoover, nephews Michael Marrese, Gregory and Thomas Kridos, niece Lisa Edgington, and grandchildren Joshua and Lucas Hoover, and Victoria and Andrew Karpinecz. He was predeceased by brothers Frank and Michael Marrese, son Robert Marrese, and grandson Matthew Sanderson.  The family will welcome friends to pay their last respects on Monday, October 2nd between 8:30 – 10:30 AM at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. A funeral mass will follow at 11:00 AM at Saint Elizabeth’s Church at 700 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ.  Interment will take place immediately following mass at Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery.