Anthony M. Marinelli 1921-2026

He was a devout Catholic who had unwavering faith in the Lord.

Anthony was born July 22, 1921, in Agnone, Italy. He was the youngest child of Dominic and Lucia Marinelli.

He came to the United States in 1929, at the age of 8, with his mother and three older sisters. Anthony grew up in Youngstown and graduated from South High School.

He enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II. He initially served on the Great Lakes and subsequently as a gunner’s mate in the Philippines and New Guinea until the end of the war.

Upon his return home, Anthony married the love of his life, Marie Antonelli, in 1946. Together they had two sons, Anthony Jr. and Andrew.

In 1954, they purchased the family bicycle business, Cycle Sales Company, from Marie’s parents, and they forged it into a thriving enterprise, patronized by generations of area residents. Upon sale of the business in 1979, Anthony continued to work at the business for many years for the new owners, Anthony and Joanne Acierno.

In 2019, Anthony, along with 130 Ohio World War II veterans, was honored at a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The event was hosted by the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation, along with the Cleveland Indians and the U.S. Navy.

At the age of 98, Anthony took his first single-engine airplane flight with his flight instructor son Andrew, son Anthony and another area pilot, Dr. David Dunch.

Left to cherish Anthony’s memory are his children, Dr. Anthony and Ellen Marinelli, and Andrew and Debbie Marinelli; grandchildren, Matthew (Susan) Marinelli, Dr. Melissa (Michael) Marinelli, Jessica (AJ) Burnett, Tiffany (Bill) Hefferon, Mark Marinelli and Rachel (Josh) Mistovich; and great-grandchildren, Domenica, Macie, Nathaniel, Cohen, Alexander, Evelyn, Ryan, Ethan and Siena. Also left to cherish his memory are nephews, Nick (Cindy) Cerimele and John Cerimele; first cousin, Donna Lee Gerlick; and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Anthony was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Marie; his parents, Dominic and Lucia Marinelli; and his three sisters and their husbands, Mary and John Diana, Phyllis and Tony Greco, and Gilda and John Cerimele. He was also preceded in death by his nephew, Dr. Anthony Greco, and niece, Joanne Diana.

Anthony’s family would like to extend their unending gratitude to Patriot Hospice nurse Tara and their aides for treating Dad with such kindness, compassion and dignity throughout the course of this last year. Additionally, the family wishes to thank the staff and physicians at the Carl Nunziato Youngstown Veterans Administration Clinic. Special gratitude is extended to his primary caregiver, Jo Garver.

Family and friends can gather 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at St. Dominic Church, 77 E. Lucius Ave., Youngstown, celebrated by the Rev. Frassati Davis, O.P.

Internment in Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown, will follow Mass.

Donations can be made to St. Dominic Church, Patriot Hospice or the Salvation Army.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the family.

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