Benedict T. Marino

Benedict T. Marino, 69, passed away on the morning of Thursday, November 3, 2011, after a courageous battle with leukemia. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Benedict T. Marino are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial of the former, in Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island, SC., Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 am. Rite of Committal will be private.

Mr. Marino was President of BTM Investment Company, a privately held investment company. During his business career he held executive level positions at several Wall Street investment banking firms. He was Managing Director at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenerette where he managed the Public Finance Division. He was also a former General Partner at Lehman Brothers during a period when the firm was a highly regarded Wall Street powerhouse. He was on the Board of Directors of Rochdale Securities at the time of his death.

He was born and spent his childhood in Norwood, NJ. He and his wife raised their family in Ridgewood, NJ. He developed a deep love for the South Carolina's low country while travelling regularly to Charleston on business. Along with two friends, he purchased 1,700 acres of land in Mt. Pleasant, SC from International Paper. Twenty-five years later the land was developed into a planned residential, commercial and industrial community and named Carolina Park. With his son, he founded The Children's Center at Carolina Park, an early childhood development center. He maintained a home in the historic district of Charleston, and on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

He was a 1964 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. As a Lieutenant, he joined the Army Airborne Rangers and served in Vietnam near the Cambodian border. For his actions against hostile forces in Vietnam, he was awarded a Bronze Star. He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. After Vietnam, he served in the North American Air Defense Command with command responsibilities for nuclear missile batteries during the cold war. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a Captain.

After the Army, he earned an MBA from the State University of NY in Albany, and pursued post-graduate studies at New York University.

The West Point motto of "Duty, Honor, Country" would remain imprinted on his character, and he continued to serve his community throughout his life. Over a long period, he was active in a number of South Carolina community organizations including the College of Charleston Foundation, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the South Carolina Aquarium. In New Jersey, he was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Local Finance Commission, and also served on several non-profit boards.

He was a good athlete and was dedicated to physical fitness, continuing his daily routine of jogging six miles even after his diagnosis and treatment for leukemia. After retiring, he climbed the Matterhorn, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Whitney, and with his sons, Mt. Rainer.

His most prized treasures were his family and friends. He collected a vast network of strong friendships that he maintained all his life. He was the son of Benedetto Marino and Henrietta Marino, both deceased He is survived by Cathy, his wife of forty six years, and three sons, Benedict Michael Marino (Anne) of Atlanta, Christopher Marino (Lisa) and Stephen Marino of Mt Pleasant, SC, and six grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, John Marino of Dorset, Vermont, and two sisters, Frances Strait of Tolland, CT, and Elvira Schneider of Hillsdale, NJ. His other brother, Christopher Marino, pre-deceased him.

Memorial contributions may be sent to MUSC Foundation Bone Marrow Transplant Fund, 18 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29425.

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.