Sept. 14, 2010
Bronx, N.Y. -
The Fordham University community lost a valuable member on Friday night with the passing of Athletic Hall of Famer Richard B. Marrin, FCRH '67, LAW '70, a former football Ram as well as a major benefactor of the football program, at the age of 64.
"Rich Marrin was a true man of Fordham. His involvement with the University and especially his mentoring positively impacted the lives of hundreds of our student-athletes and their families," said Executive Director of Athletics, Frank McLaughlin. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Marrin family for their loss. Rich was a significant supporter of Fordham athletics and his presence will be greatly missed."
As an undergraduate at Fordham in the 1960's, Marrin was a two-year starter on the football team, under Hall of Fame coach Jim Lansing, including the 1965 squad that was selected as the number one club team in the nation. It was these Fordham teams that are credited with returning football to Fordham, after the sport was dropped following the 1954 season.
Besides football, Marrin also earned four varsity letters in squash and three in tennis, under Hall of Fame coach Bob Hawthorn. He was inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and the football team most valuable player award is named in his honor.
The Marrin name is one that is closely associated with Fordham. Marrin's great grandfather, Joseph J. Marrin, came to Rose Hill in 1845, as an eleven-year-old "Third Division" student, graduating in 1857 from the First Division. Grandfather Wilfrid E. Marrin was a three year letter winner on the Fordham football teams of 1886-88 while his father, Wilfrid Jr., graduated from both the College and the Law School as did his brother, Wilfrid, III. All six of his children - Margaret, Richard Jr., James, Jennifer, Matthew and Peter are also Fordham graduates, an achievement which Marrin attributed to the efforts of his wife, Gail.
A Bronx native, Marrin was vital to the formation of the Fordham Gridiron Club, a group of former players, alumni and friends that exists to support the University, student athletes and football coach and to advance the efforts and goals of the football program. He served as the club's president for over 20 years.
A wake for Marrin will be held on Wednesday, September 15, from 4-8:00 PM at John Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, N.J. 07701. A funeral mass will beheld on Thursday, September 16, at 10:00 AM at The Holy Cross Church, 30 Ward Avenue, Rumson, N.J. 07760.
