Michael Marra

Michael Marra was born Michele Marra on 7/ 27/ 27 in the Eagle Park section of Providence to Joseph and Florence (Germano) Marra. He passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2013. Mike was predeceased by his wife Anne (O’ Donnell) Marra, brother Anthony Marra and nephew Kenny Marra. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Tedesco, his daughter Kathleen Marra, her husband Dr. Michael McCarten of Kittery Point, Maine; a son Michael Marra his wife Rosemary and two granddaughters; Allegra and Angelina all of Cranston.

Mike left Mt. Pleasant High School at the age of 15 to play trumpet professionally but later earned a BA in music education and two masters’ degrees. He taught at Barrington Middle School for over 20 years. He was a great golfer and for the past 30 years lived at Louisquissett Country Club in North Providence. He served in Germany with the United States Army during WWII.

In 1934, at the age of seven, he took his first trumpet lesson. He played his final gig July 2012, the day he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mike won a coveted scholarship to study with a prestigious trumpet teacher at the Longy Conservatory of Music for two years. He performed with many bands and orchestras during his seven decades of playing; The Tony Mandel 4 in the 1950’s, The Art Pelosi 4 and later The Artones in the 1960’s, The Duke Belaire Big Band and The Drew Corcoran Orchestra with whom he played the 1989 Inaugural Ball along with his son. He played at the Inn at Castle Hill every Sunday for 18 years. Mike was a close friend with trumpeter Bobby Hackett who enjoyed Mike’s playing so much he gave him one of his cornets. Mike played at the Celebrity Club for George Shearing and Ella Fitzgerald. In 2000 Mike recorded a CD, “It’s Mike by George” with his lifelong friend George Masso.

His funeral will be held Friday, January 18, 2013 at 10 a.m. from the Maceroni Funeral Home, 1381 Smith St., North Providence, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Visitation Thursday from 4:00–7:00 p.m. Internment will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.
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Mike’s children would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Greenwich Farms at Warwick and Gentiva Hospice for the unparalleled care Mike received at the end of his life.

In lieu of flowers donations in Mikes name to “One Company Fund” c/o Greenwich Farms at Warwick, 75 Minnesota Ave, Warwick, R. I. 02888 would be greatly appreciated.