Our Italian American Stories

Here is the story of Gaspar "Gus" Marrone:   My great uncle, Gaspar B. Marrone, touched many lives through his service in World War II, his work as a carpentry instructor, and his volunteer activities for numerous charities.

Gaspar (known as "Gus" for short) was born in Philadelphia but spent most of his life in Boston. His parents, Egidio and Caterina Marrone, were Italian immigrants. He had four brothers named Michael, Rudy, Joey, and Al, and two sisters named Catherine and Cina (my grandmother).

In 1943, shortly after graduating from high school, Gaspar joined the Army, fighting on the front lines in Japan. He reenlisted in 1945. He attained the rank of Corporal and earned two Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with a Japanese Clasp, the WWII Victory Medal, and two overseas bars. He was honorably discharged in 1948.

After the war, Gaspar dedicated his life to helping others. In the 1950s he began working at the Spanish Center in Boston, teaching woodworking and other technical skills. He had a special talent for fixing things and figuring out how things worked. He also had a gift for connecting with the "tough" kids and serving as a mentor. 

Outside of work, Gaspar volunteered at the Church of the Holy Cross in the South End of Boston, as well as various homeless shelters. Additionally, each Christmas, he would fill a big yellow bus with toys and drive around to deliver them to poor children.

Although Gaspar never married or had children, he had numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. I had the pleasure of getting to know my Uncle Gus better during the final months of his life. He was truly one of the kindest people one could hope to meet, with a twinkle in his eye and a great sense of humor. Gus passed away from lung cancer in 2014 at age 89. He exemplified the values of self-reliance, dignity, and strong religious faith through the very end of his life. He is buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.