Obituary of Joseph Aaron Marino
Joseph Aaron Marino was a resident of Brick Township. He grew up in Farmingdale and was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 13, where he attained the level of Eagle Scout. Joseph graduated from Christian Brother’s Academy in 2001. He attended NJIT in Newark, where he met some of his closest friends that he would have for the rest of his life.
Joseph is survived by his parents, Carl and Deborah Marino of Cortez, FL; his loving brothers, Joshua David Marino of Houston, TX and Anthony Michael Marino of Austin, TX; his godson, Noah Marino; and his nieces Lillian and Sofia Marino of Houston, TX. He is also survived by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In 2008, he met Kurt Pellegrino (who became one of his closest friends) and began a journey into MMA. He was a professional fighter, BJJ black belt, coach, and instructor. Joseph found his greatest joy as “Coach Joe,” teaching children the art and lifestyle that BJJ requires. His second greatest passion was for firearms. He was an NRA certified instructor, manager, and gunsmith at Shore Shot Pistol Range in Lakewood, where he certified and taught some of NJ’s best and brightest law enforcement officers. Joseph loved to share his knowledge and talents with others so that he might be able to help them succeed.
He loved to dance and would frequently attend the Boardwalk Boogie in Asbury Park where he showed off his unique and unrepeatable dancing skills. Joseph was more complex than a Rubik’s cube and immersed himself in everything that he did, whether it was fencing, gaming, mathematics, religion, chess or Go. Despite having a wide variety of interests, he quickly excelled at anything he set his mind to. It was hard to know Joseph and not love him.
A memorial service will be held Friday, July 18, 2025 at Long Branch Covenant Church, 355 Joline Avenue, Long Branch. The family will receive guests from 5:00 to 6:00 PM with a memorial service to start at 6:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made for a Joseph Marino Memorial Scholarship to Kurt Pellegrino Mixed Martial Arts Academy, 187 Parker Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.
Forever
“Confusion’s torment soon will disappear
And though we may not see which path is right
I’ll always try to be a guiding light
Which banishes the shadow of your fear
A caring hand to brush away each tear
Which tries to fill your eyes and cloud your sight
And though each joyous day must fall to night
The sun will always dawn on hearts so dear
And so within your precious soul please know
Like soothing heat from an eternal blaze
The warmth I have for you will never end
Whenever hence we find our lives must go
I promise that until my end of days
You are forever my beloved friend”
- Joseph A. Marino, March 6, 2022
