From: James Wallace [mailto:jwallace40@cox.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 9:04 AM
To: saintjim@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: OBIT for David Marrero

 Jim, thanks. 

Dave and I served onboard the USS TINOSA together in the 80s.  I was fortunate to live nearby in RI and we maintained a relationship up until his passing. 

New London — David Marrero, 45, of 29 Walden Ave., New London, passed away on Friday, Oct. 27, 2006, at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Carlos R. and Yolande Rodrigues Marrero.

 Arrangements, entrusted to the Lester Gee Funeral Home, 108 Blinman St., New London, are private. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

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 Former Local DJ Signs Off  

Article Text:

 A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD the sad but honorable task of recounting the life of Sigmund Strochlitz, a man known internationally as a survivor of the Holocaust and a member of the Council to Establish a National Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Mr. Strochlitz died last month.

 More recently, I wrote here of the passing of Harriet Weaver, a pianist and vocalist in her church, a pioneer in her professional life, an avid bowler and a fun-loving, kind and generous friend to many, whose daughter was a deputy director of information technology in President Clinton's White House.

 Both were great people. It was an honor to write about each of them. This week, sadly, I am equally honored to tell you a little about David Marrero. Despite personal circumstances that resulted in but a scant obituary and the absence of a funeral service, David Marrero was important, too. He was a grain of sand on the same beach. And if there is to be a beach at all, then every grain matters.

 David Marrero was dad to Ian, his 19-year old son, who survives him. He was Chico to his friends. And to his listeners.

 Chico, who was 45 years old when he died Oct. 27 after a long battle with diabetes and heart troubles, spent more than a decade on local radio, mostly at Q-105 and 980 a.m. WSUB. He was also a disc jockey at night clubs and private parties.

 When Franco (Carofano) ruled morning drive-time at Q-105 (and after the split between Franco and his former partner and wife, Jody) Chico was his news reporter, sidekick and a good friend. He had his own time slots for several years as well. We often shared the WSUB studios - double duty for him - while I held the AM drive slot on the talk side of the two stations that were separated only by glass.

 "Chico was a great guy. He loved to have a good time and he loved radio," said Shawn Murphy, half of Q-105's current morning drive team. "He left it for a while, but he was trying to get back into it. He was vigilant about checking in, even for part-time or fill-in air shifts."  

Several people talked about how Chico cared about family and friends.  

"Two things Chico loved," Franco said. "The first was his son, Ian. The other was Q-105. The last time I saw him he wasn't well, but he didn't want to talk about that. He wanted to talk about how his son was doing and my family was. He had a smile on his face. That was Chico's legacy, his care for people other than himself."  

Franco remembered Chico as a hard worker who never refused a task. "If you needed someone to go to the transmitter in the middle of the night, Chico was right there. And he'd get it done. He was like MacGyver - give him a stick of gum, a paper clip and rubber band, and he could get us back on the air."  

Carofano recalled Chico's charitable efforts. When a mom wanted to raise money to pay hospital bills for her sick child, Chico arranged a softball game. He formed the stations' team that played several charity games, no matter the competition. We played police, firefighters, sailors and twice against a girls' softball team from Croatia that was touring the region. I still have a penknife keychain from the Croatian coach. Thanks to Chico.  

Chico was a good man who cared about his son and his friends. He should rest eternally knowing they cared for him as well. And just to be sure, there will be a gathering next week to thank him for the memories.

 James Wallace