Richard Marotta

Richard Marotta, age 74 of Ringwood, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 5, 2021.

Rich was the second oldest of James and Mary (nee Manzi) Marotta’s five children. He was born in Paterson and raised in the beautiful Riverside section of the city. A graduate of Eastside High School’s Class of 1964, he went on for further study in drafting school and got his first job as a draftsman with Liberty Machine Company in Paterson. During his 26 years with the company he worked his way up to vice president. On March 11, 1991, Rich took on a new challenge by opening his own company which he called Converting Concepts. His hard work and great reputation in the industry earned him the respect needed to secure machine design contracts with companies such as Boeing, Ford Motor Company and Bostick, Inc. to name a few. He loved his work and would have proudly celebrated 30 years in his own company this coming March 11.

When Rich was a mere fifteen years young, he set out one evening to attend a Blessed Sacrament Church of Paterson’s sponsored Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) dance. Little did he know what a turning point that night would be! It was there that he met a sweet girl by the name of Lorraine Cascone. She was his age and a relationship started that evening that would ultimately develop into a match made in heaven. They became high school sweethearts and ultimately husband and wife. Rich’s proposal was interesting. One day while driving together in his car, they got within a block or two of Lorraine’s home and Rich stopped his car at an intersection and just handed Lorraine an engagement ring. As he sat at the stop sign waiting for Lorraine’s answer, maybe he thought that if another car approached from behind, it might hasten her response before he’d have to move on so as not to block the intersection. Whatever may be the case, Lorraine’s answer was a resounding “Yes”! On Saturday, November 5, 1966, family and friends were invited to St. Brendan’s Church in Clifton to witness Rich and Lorraine’s exchange of their wedding vows before God. Though it was a rainy day, no one cared. Love was in the air and, after a joyous reception at the Casino De Charlz located at the time at 120 Union Boulevard in Totowa, the newlyweds enjoyed a romantic honeymoon to Puerto Rico.

Rich and Lorraine’s first newlywed home was an apartment on Cybill Court in West Paterson (known today as Woodland Park). Nine months later, their honeymoon baby made her grand entry into the world. Rich and Lorraine named her Lisa and she was followed in July, 1970 by a little sister named Lori. With the family growing, Rich and Lorraine moved to 29 Ryerson Ave. in Haledon. That house served them well until one more move came in 1983. This time it was to a brand new home in Ringwood. It was designed by Rich himself and built over the course of ten straight weekends – each one of them featuring perfect weather – with a lot of help from Rich’s Uncle Effie who was a builder, Rich’s brothers-in-law Bob and Dennis, and his good buddy Ed Vannelli. While that house was one of Rich’s proudest achievement, his perfectionistic nature drove him to make various tweaks and upgrades over the years.  

Rich was a man blessed with many talents and interests. As a young man growing up in Paterson, you could often find him at the Peerless Bowling Alley where he developed into one of the best players. At one time he even considered going pro and had bowled his share of perfect 300’s – all strikes - in his day. He also loved the game of golf and enjoyed getting in nine or eighteen holes at North Jersey Country Club where he often drew inspiration in his mind from golf great Arnold Palmer. As a long-time member of North Jersey Country Club, he and Lorraine were blessed with many good friendships. Rich had a real fascination for learning about the history of Paterson – especially the Riverside section where he spent a big part of his life. With all his knowledge of that beloved city, one could say that he could have made a legitimate claim to the title of official Paterson historian. He was a proud American who, while not a veteran himself, enjoyed being actively engaged in the life of the Riverside Veterans whom he came to love because his father James was a veteran.

When Rich set out to unwind, he found peace and joy with the ones he loved going on cruises, especially to his favorite destination of Bermuda, hanging out at his and Lorraine’s condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he could also get in a few holes of golf, and taking vacations to Wildwood Crest. Those trips down the Jersey shore were some of the most special as they were annual occasions for many years with his girls when they were growing up and later with his granddaughters. Like so many men, Rich had a bit of a fascination with cars. He loved to drive around in his 1983 Mercedes SL and, while he never actually got one, he often dreamed of owning a 62 Corvette in a color which Chevrolet fittingly called “Riverside Red”.

Rich went through some serious health trials in recent years. It wasn’t always easy but he derived a lot of strength, courage and perspective from his faith in God who he always believed had everything under control. He enjoyed going to church at St. Mary’s in Pompton Lakes where he and Lorraine could always be found in the same seats at either Saturday or Sunday mass.  

The loss Rich’s family feels at this time is palpable to say the least. He was deeply loved and a great example of love himself. His family described Rich as one of the last true examples of a family man. He found no greater joy than giving of his time, talents, and treasures to family and friends. His perfectionistic tendencies sometimes caused you to scratch your head wondering “why?”, like the time he moved a window in the dining room ¼” because it just wasn’t right where it was. But you always knew his motivation was coming from a good place. Rich was a classy, generous, compassionate, loyal and affectionate man. If you have any doubts, just ask his little Grand-dog “NOODLES”.

Rich was the beloved husband of Lorraine (nee Cascone), blessed in marriage for 54 years. He was the devoted father of Lisa and husband Scott Gobolos of Ringwood, and Lori and husband Joseph LaBarck of Hamburg; adored grandfather of Lyndsay Marie, Rebecca Lynn, and Abigail Rose Gobolos; dear brother of: Vincent Marotta of West Milford and his late wife Geraldine (2009), Marianne and husband Dennis Micks of West Milford, Susan and husband Robert Zelitsky of Wanaque, and his late sister Michelle Marotta (1989); sadly missed by his sister-in-law Sally and husband Darryl Laxon; and lifelong friends Joe and Pat, and Donny and Marlene; dear uncle of Vincent and wife Barrie Marotta, Janine and husband David McFadden, Taylor Zelitsky, and Paige Zelitsky; and great-uncle of four great-nieces and two great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to: Bayada Hospice, 299 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07032 would be greatly appreciated.