Frank Marinelli, age 93 of Newark, DE, died on October 1, 2018. He was born on December 21, 1924 in New York, NY to the late Francesco Marinelli and Filomena Marinelli (Esposito).

Drafted shortly after his 18th birthday, Frank was sent to study engineering at Manhattan College under the Army Specialized Training Program. When that program was eliminated due to critical manpower shortages, he returned to combat units and served in the European Theater as a combat engineer, participating in campaigns in France, Belgium and Germany. He was a proud member of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

Completing his B.S. degree at New York University at night, Frank spent most of his early career with Fedders Corporation, eventually being elected corporate controller, treasurer, vice president of internal corporate planning and, lastly, president of its then subsidiary R.M.R. Corporation, a manufacturer of electric motors based in Elkton, MD. After participating in a leveraged buyout of R.M.R., he became, simultaneously, chief executive officer of two electric motor manufacturers (in Elkton, MD and Watertown, NY) and chief operating officer of a manufacturer of electrical capacitors and transformers in Bennington, VT. Frank was called from retirement to assist in the initial public offering of Cease Fire Corporation, a manufacturer of fire extinguishers based in West Chester, PA, and he later was elected its chief executive officer.

In his retirement years, Frank and his wife Mary split their time between Delaware, South Carolina and Florida. They enjoyed golf, were active members of the Newark Country Club in Delaware and volunteered at numerous golf championships, including the Honda Classic Tournament in Florida. Frank also helped manage several political campaigns in Delaware and Maryland.

Frank is survived by his wife of 71 years, Rose Mary Marinelli (Cascini) of Newark, DE; daughter Barbara M. Dobson and her husband Douglas of Wilmington, NC; son Francis C. Marinelli and his wife Alesia of Katonah, NY; son William J. Marinelli of Pike Creek, DE and his companion Patrice Penza of Ocean City, NJ. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Kristin M. Dobson of Wilmington, NC and Brianna M. Marinelli of Pike Creek, DE.

Family and friends may visit from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 8, 2018, at R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. Mass of Christian Burial for Frank Marinelli will begin 11:30 a.m. on Monday, October 8, 2018, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE 19711. The committal service will be held following Mass at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to “DAV” (the Disabled American Veterans) or “VFW” (the Veterans of Foreign Wars). Please send in care of R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home.