Richard Carl Marola, 80, passed on July 23, 2020, at Dobson Home Hospice of the Valley in Chandler, AZ. Richard was one of six children. He was born in Searights, PA November 7, 1939. When he was five, the family moved to Detroit, MI. There he met and married his childhood sweetheart, Carol (Zuccarini) Marola and they celebrated their 60th anniversary. Richard is survived by Carol his wife, son Dante Marola and wife Cindy. Also surviving are his sisters, Elizabeth Fischione and Angela Cuppetelli. He was predeceased by his brothers, Robert, Edward and Louis Marola. He served two years active duty and four years reserve in the U.S. Navy. He worked at several different jobs before settling at Chrysler FCA where he worked for 30 years. He particularly enjoyed writing for the plant newspaper and later in the Safety Dept. because he loved interacting and meeting people. He had a great sense of humor and he loved photography, music and helping others. He was responsible for starting annual Veteran’s drives for hospitalized veterans, at the Chrysler plant and at his parish church in MI. He was one of the founders of the Veterans Association at Dolce Vita Community when he and his wife began spending winters and subsequently moved to AZ. He had a passion for collecting food for three major holidays and delivering it to the St. Charles Apache Catholic Mission. He encouraged others to donate, and to help deliver to the Mission. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Charles Apache Catholic Church, P.O Box 338, San Carlos AZ 85550 or Hospice of the Valley Dobson Home, 1188 N Dobson Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224. On Saturday, August 1, there will be a rosary at 11:30 a.m. and funeral mass at 12:00 p.m. at St. George Catholic Church in Apache Junction AZ with social distancing and masks required. Due to COVID-19 a celebration of life will be held in the future when it is safe.
Rich Marola …was an inspiration for me and many others at Chrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. As a union man and worker no matter what the task Rich was above reproach.
Rich had an energy that was contagious a near impossible to imitate. He was in a class of his own. Motivated by his faith, he was always giving for others. He was a true believer and he believed all the way through.
Whether it was raising food and money for Mother Waddles food shelter, Running on Belle Isle for African Aids Relief, being Santa Claus at UAW Local 1700’s annual Christmas gift giving tree, running in the Boston Marathon…Rich always gave his all for others.
I know he sure made my job easier, as Co-editors of the plants UAW/Chrysler Product Quality Improvement (PQI)-Partnership newsletter, “The Winning Way”.
Rich made my job easy. He covered the second shift, I covered the first shift. He always had 3 or 4 more articles and accompanying photos to submit, to my one.
During his time on the communication team the Sterling Height Assembly Plant won several joint union-management communication awards, for Best Publication, Best Reporting, Best Overall Communications Program.
I remember the smile on his face as Rich gave then Chairman and CEO Lee Iaccoca a double hand shake upon receiving these awards for our team accomplishments. Which would not have happened without Rich’s spirit and drive to excel.
In all the time I’d known Rich I never seen him once get angry, mad, upset or be boaster-est and/or self-promoting.
Rich had a way of deflecting anything negative thrown his way, ignoring it, worked around it and it only made him worked harder. Working with a majority African American workforce as his Chrysler Union co-workers… Rich had total respect from all… for he was for real…the real McCoy.
To Carol and all his family and friend… I share your loss… and will miss knowing he’s not out there making the planet a better place for others.
Yet I know his spirit lives and will prevail…as the world is a better place… because of Richard Marola
…thanks Rich it was an honor and a privilege to have worked with you… and to have gotten to know you…
I know the Lord in heaven is glad to see you come through those pearly gates to have a worker like you… will bring many happy times and smiley faces…
Mac Deuparo
Carol and family, So sorry to hear about Rich. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Just remembering our couples getaway at the Stone House on Drummond Island, Mich. Good times and special memories. May our heavenly Father hold you in his loving hands during this difficult time. Your friend and co-worker, Jere Bendes
Uncle Rich was one of a kind and loved by our family. He had a passion for helping others in need and devoted and donated much of his time to various organizations. He was an example of what a genuinely kind,caring individual is. He and Aunt Carol were a sweet, thoughtful and loving couple and blessed to have had 60 years of marriage! We will miss his infectious smile but we know that he and his beautiful smile will forever be looking down on us . RIP Uncle Rich..all our love ..Jasper and Kim
We have lost a great lifetime friend. So glad I got to spend some time with Carol and Rich recently. He will be missed by all. Kathy Leitch
Rich Marola …was an inspiration for me and many others at Chrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. As a union man and worker no matter what the task Rich was above reproach.
Rich had an energy that was contagious a near impossible to imitate. He was in a class of his own. Motivated by his faith, he was always giving for others. He was a true believer and he believed all the way through.
Whether it was raising food and money for Mother Waddles food shelter, Running on Belle Isle for African Aids Relief, being Santa Claus at UAW Local 1700’s annual Christmas gift giving tree, running in the Boston Marathon…Rich always gave his all for others.
I know he sure made my job easier, as Co-editors of the plants UAW/Chrysler Product Quality Improvement (PQI)-Partnership newsletter, “The Winning Way”.
Rich made my job easy. He covered the second shift, I covered the first shift. He always had 3 or 4 more articles and accompanying photos to submit, to my one.
During his time on the communication team the Sterling Height Assembly Plant won several joint union-management communication awards, for Best Publication, Best Reporting, Best Overall Communications Program.
I remember the smile on his face as Rich gave then Chairman and CEO Lee Iaccoca a double hand shake upon receiving these awards for our team accomplishments. Which would not have happened without Rich’s spirit and drive to excel.
In all the time I’d known Rich I never seen him once get angry, mad, upset or be boaster-est and/or self-promoting.
Rich had a way of deflecting anything negative thrown his way, ignoring it, worked around it and it only made him worked harder. Working with a majority African American workforce as his Chrysler Union co-workers… Rich had total respect from all… for he was for real…the real McCoy.
To Carol and all his family and friend… I share your loss… and will miss knowing he’s not out there making the planet a better place for others.
Yet I know his spirit lives and will prevail…as the world is a better place… because of Richard Marola
…thanks Rich it was an honor and a privilege to have worked with you… and to have gotten to know you…
I know the Lord in heaven is glad to see you come through those pearly gates to have a worker like you… will bring many happy times and smiley faces…
Mac Deuparo
Carol and family, So sorry to hear about Rich. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Just remembering our couples getaway at the Stone House on Drummond Island, Mich. Good times and special memories. May our heavenly Father hold you in his loving hands during this difficult time. Your friend and co-worker, Jere Bendes
Uncle Rich was one of a kind and loved by our family. He had a passion for helping others in need and devoted and donated much of his time to various organizations. He was an example of what a genuinely kind,caring individual is. He and Aunt Carol were a sweet, thoughtful and loving couple and blessed to have had 60 years of marriage! We will miss his infectious smile but we know that he and his beautiful smile will forever be looking down on us . RIP Uncle Rich..all our love ..Jasper and Kim
We have lost a great lifetime friend. So glad I got to spend some time with Carol and Rich recently. He will be missed by all. Kathy Leitch