Donald W. Marino Sr.
Date of Passing:
Marino, Donald W. Sr., 82, of Massasoit Avenue, Barrington, died peacefully on April 3, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Kerianne (Carlson) Marino.
Born in Providence a son of the late William and Loretta (Corey) Marino, he lived in Barrington for 25 years.
Mr. Marino was the owner and operator of Don Mar Creations, East Providence for the past 52 years.
Donald enjoyed horse racing and was the owner of several Thoroughbreds named after his loving family members.
He enjoyed spending time with his loving grandchildren, traveling and cooking and was famous for his meatballs and aioli.
Mr. Marino was dedicated to his work and always expressed kindness.
Besides his wife of twenty three years, he is survived by his children, Kathy Marino of Warwick, Donald W. Marino Jr. of Warwick, Mary Platt of Seekonk, MA, Kevin Marino of Lakeville, MA, Patricia Doran of Portsmouth, Sophia Marino of Barrington and Luca Marino of Barrington; a brother, Thomas Marino of Johnston; two sisters, Barbara Knight of Johnston and Marjorie Lefebvre of Cranston; twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was the son in law of Gordon and Diane Carlson of Riverside.
A private funeral service will be held in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside. Burial will follow in Forest Chapel Cemetery, Nayatt Road, Barrington. Calling hours and flowers are respectfully omitted. Contributions in Donald’s memory to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904-9826 would be deeply appreciated.
A Celebration of his Life will be held on a date when those who loved him can gather safely.
To the Don Mar Family,
We are missing Don along with you. With heartfelt sympathy.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I’ve done business with Don for over 30 years. He built a wonderful family and a great working team. I remember driving to Don Mar early in the morning, after late night working in my shop The first person I would see was Don. His knowledge and hard work was an inspiration to me. He will be deeply missed.
Marino Family,
I was very sorry to hear of Don Sr.’s passing. I will always cherish the time I spent with Don at open houses, meetings and dinners! He taught me many things about the New England picture framing market that I will never forget.
Rest in Peace
Don Jr and Beth,
Although I didn’t see Don Sr as often as my colleagues, the times I did see him he was very genuine and sincere to me. It was a pleasure and honor to know and work with him. The industry lost a great man. My prayers and deepest condolences to the entire Marino family.
My condolences to the Marino Family. Don was a leader in his business, he was loved by everyone. He was such a hard worker and inspiration. He is a Legend and I am very grateful for all the kind things he did for me. I always especially enjoyed spending time with Don. He is so special.
My thoughts and prayers with his family. Don Sr was a great employer. I will always be grateful for the opportunity and knowledge.
Tricia, I am very sorry to hear about your Dad. My best to you and your family.
Kevin Conway
Please accept our sincere condolences upon the passing of your beloved Donald. His beautiful temperament will remain in our memory always, a kind, gentle man. Your joyful love was apparent each moment we shared with you. Sincerely, Mark, Martha, Dana, Lyle, and family
My company has been with Don Mar for 40 yrs. and I have developed friendships with Don Jr. and Beth as well as others. It’s so nice to go there and feel like “Everybody knows your name”…well, at least quite a few! I was always amazed at how Don Sr. was always visibly active around the place, and I am sure even at times when it was physically challenging in the latter years. He was a very dedicated man who clearly loved not only the framing business itself but also, those in the industry, his customers. My greatest sympathies to the immediate family and the extended family at Don Mar…I know the loss is a great one.
Sorry for our great loss
my condolences to all the families,friends, business partners,and employees he was really a kind nice and professional Man.
I had the pleasure of meeting Don two years ago. He pridefully showed me and my colleagues around his warehouse and shared a few unbelievable stories with us. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to the Marino Family and Don’s extended Don Mar family. Very sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences to Don, Beth, the greater Marino family, friends, and co-workers at Donmar. I always admired his integrity in business, love for his family and for life in general. He lives on as an inspiration for a life well-lived. He will be greatly missed. Wishing peace for all who knew and loved him.
My sympathies to the Marino family. Don was a good businessman and boss. He always listened to me when I had a problem. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Don is still alive as his spirit is passed on to all who knew him.
I am sorry to hear this ? I only met him once, but I am glad for that meeting. He was warm and friendly and so happy to take me -his customer- for a tour and talk shop. I am sorry for the family’s loss. ?
I am so sorry for your loss. Don had such a passion for what he did and such a love for the special people in his life. May the many memories give you the strength to deal with such an epic loss. In his honor, I wrote this on a cocktail napkin and the back of a piece of mail first…(Monday morning meeting contributions from Don’s everflowing ideas!) peace and love to you all ~ fly free, Don, Sr xoxo
I met Don back in 1978 when he had a small storefront in East Providence. He was the only distributor of Chicago Dial Glass which was the first good quality Non-glare glass, and it was paper-packed, not powder packed! He also carried Rising Mat Boards. Other lines of matboard were added, as well as Nielsen aluminum frames. Don then became a major distributor of wood length moulding.
We aged together, swapping tales of our respective businesses, lives, children etc. Every time Don expanded and moved, someone always wanted his location so he made a profit, and moved to another location where he made even more money. He finally settled on Waterman Ave back in East Providence, the city where he started out. His DONMAR DAYS were always THE SHOW to attend outside of NYC. His two children, Donnie, and Beth were always ready to assist with any special projects I was working on. Their only limitation was if it would fit in a truck!
Don: rest easy! your family is at the controls of your wonderful company.
Dear Marino family,
Don will be missed by so many. I could not have started my business 28 years ago without you. Your whole staff at Don Mar has been helpful and kind and that ethic has come from Don. My condolences to you all.
Our condolences to the Marino and the Don Mar Family.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
Don was a man of vision and guts.
The industry will miss him!
I am so glad to have met Don Marino and spoken with him. He helped my business with his understanding and kindness for over 25 years. He built a great company of Outstanding people. I will always thank God that Don was kind enough to help myself and my business. I am sorry for the loss of such a kind man and true friend of small business. Rest well.
I operated a Framing Shop in NJ for over 17 years, and valued my Don Mar Line of Ovals. I have since retired and moved to NH, but wish to express my sincere condolences to the Don Mar Family. May his Memory be a Blessing to all. Even though I no longer frame, I hope the family business he established will continue for many years to come.
Don and Beth,
Sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I can remember meeting your Dad many years ago when I first started in the Art and Framing industry. I remember him as a wonderful and gracious man who loved the industry he served. Suzanne and I send our condolences
Owen F. Hickey
Suzanne Nicoll Studio
My heart-felt condolences to Don’s family for what must be a huge loss in so many ways. I can’t say enough about the respect I held for him from the day we met. He was a pioneer in the framing industry and just an all round great guy!
So sorry for our loss.
My condolences to your family at this time.
My condolences to your family. Don’s memory lives on in the success of Don Mar.
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our condolences to your family.
So sorry to hear of your loved one’s passing. I remember he visited me when I first opened my own shop twelve years ago. A gentleman and very personable. I am sorry my local warehouse closed, I always enjoyed stopping there to visit the helpful and fun staff. He created a legacy. Fill your hearts with memories.
Mr Marino is a true legend in the picture framing industry. A great role model for hard work and integrity. My condolences to his family and his Don Mar team.
Sending my deepest Sympathy to all of you at Don Mar Creations. Feeling sad. But I am grateful that I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Don many times at the DonMar Days events. I always learned a lot at these events and so enjoyed everything Don did to make these occasions so helpful. During the 22 years since I have been in business I have grown very fond of the whole team that is Don Mar Creations. So sorry for your loss.
To Don’s family and his larger family , we send our condolences .
He started a wonderful company with wonderful employees who are always there to help you.
Thank you Don.
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I’ve known Don for 45 years, his advice, kindness, and friendship will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family and all the people that worked with him.
My deepest sympathy to the Marino family,
I always admired and respected Don, I loved his stories when I came to visit he will be missed. My thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time.
Gritsko
Our condolences to your family! We never had the pleasure of meeting Don Sr., but have been long-term customers of the Don Mar Frame and Moulding business. We know that he built a strong company full of employees (his extended “business family”) who have stayed with him for years and years. That speaks volumes about what kind of character he must have had because they were treated well. Our prayers for you during this time that you will find comfort in the memories and legacy he left behind.
So sorry for your loss.
So very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Find comfort in your fond memories and know that he made a difference for us all. Since the early ’80s when we started our business, we relied on Don and his wonderful team to always be there when we had no idea what we were doing. To his credit, we still feel that way to this day.
I’m sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
Dana Clemons / White Mountain Photography
Donny, Beth, Kery and all of the Marino family,
My deepest condolences you all. I am sorry to hear of Sr.’s passing. He was always so welcoming and friendly to me. I will forever appreciate the opportunity he gave me as a young man and I always enjoyed catching up him him at DM Days. Don will be missed! He leaves behind a great legacy.
May you all find peace in the days ahead.
Sincere condolences to the family and employees. May your memories hold you near him. He was a hard worker and great contributor to the framing industry! God bless.
Don. You will missed by us all. Where did 34 Years go? God Bless your family and know that we all depended on you to help us make it through so many years of business. Without you we couldn’t have done it.
We send our deepest condolences , and our thoughts are with the Don Mar Family. Thank you so much for creating a company that has helped all the picture framers in NYC.
We have depended on you for many years and thank you for the great service.
My sincere sympathy for your loss.
Don ran a wonderful business that we were part of for more than 20+ years.
My condolences to his family.
Frameworks MA
Don Sr you will be missed by all that had the opportunity to know you. My condolences to the family. We lost a great one.
To the Marino family,
We were deeply saddened to learn of Don’s passing. He was certainly a remarkable, caring, and wonderful man, who will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune of knowing him. We hope that the pain of your loss will comforted by knowing that you are in the thoughts of many, at this difficult time.
With kind regards and our sincere sympathy.
Ron & Sue
Thank you for your service over the years,so sorry for your loss
Sorry for your collective loss. The gift of loving what you do, shared with so many, is indeed a gift.
Thoughts from afar,
Turi
Keri, Beth, Donnie,
I am so sorry to hear about Don’s passing. He was a real gentleman, with an absolute passion for Don Mar. I always looked forward to sitting with him and just talking about the Framing Industry. He will be missed
Beth, Donny, Kevin,
My condolences for your loss. Donald was someone I deeply respected and made my life so much better for having known him.
So sorry foe your loss. I always enjoyed running into Don at the business. Our prayers ate with you.
Don Jr and Family-
Our deepest sympathy to you and your families. While it may be difficult to move forward at first, this is what 52 years of hard training has prepared you & your business for: all of the future successes of Don Mar Creations you will experience.
Anne Hall & Mark Brady
Dear Keri and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Don will live on in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him.
As a customer of Don Mar Creations he always supported our business needs and supported Hope High Dollars for Scholars. May his memory be a blessing.
Ann Salk Rosenberg
My deepest sympathy to all of the Marino family. I will always remember Don, Sr.’s voice (so recognizable) emanating from behind a wall of corner samples many years ago at Frameorama at the Penta Hotel in NYC. May Don, Sr.’s memory be for a blessing.
1980 – the year I met Don. I started a small shop and needed help. i didn’t know it, but Don did. He loved to celebrate success, sometimes his own, but mostly others. He is a man of principle, integrity, and kindness and I am going to miss him.
My condolences to Don’s family and friends. I always enjoyed our encounters at DonMar Days …such a great personality and a man of great sincerity. RIP ?
I remember when we started Meadow View Art and Framing 32 years ago. Once we placed our first orders at Don Mar we were always made to feel like family. At Don Mar Days it was nice to see Don, Sr and his family and all the family of his employees. We are all family in this moment. My heart goes out to you, Beth, Don, Jr and the rest of the family. Prayers for your comfort and strength in each other. Rest in peace, you wonderful man, Don, Sr.
So very sorry for your loss.
We send our heartfelt condolences to the family. Don has run an amazing business, we have been customers for years. We wish we had thanked him before now,
Our sincere condolences to the Marino family and everyone at Don Mar. I only met Don at the vendor days at Don Mar in RI. He was warm and friendly to us. I always appreciated his support of my business and felt he ran an excellent company with great people. Our thoughts are with everyone during this sad time.
Sincerely, Eric and the entire DSI crew
I had the pleasure of knowing Don for 36 years. It wasn’t nearly long enough.
With deep sadness we hearing the new.
Don was a sport easy to talk to and doing business for 30 plus years.
He will be missed but always remembered.
Wishing all his families friends best and life goes on.
Don knew how to enjoy life and cared about who he knew.
Moses
My heart is heavy,. I loved your father, and I enjoyed the talks we would have whenever I happened to be in the showroom at Don Mar. I will miss him, but I will always remember him when I am at Don Mar or talking to his family that he loved so much. The family should be proud of all that he accomplished in his lifetime.
I am a long standing customer of DonMar . I never met Don. Marino Sr. but I could tell from the always pleasant and friendly employees that someone very special was at the head of the business .
My condolences to the family and all the crew at Don Mar.
Thinking of you and your family at this sad time. We send our deepest sympathy to all of you. Prayers being sent by your neighbors.
I always liked u, Donald ! Even though we were not relatives, although, were not sure, I always thought u were a beautiful person when I was introduced 2 u . May u rest in beautiful peace ! A relative, believe it or not, to Kerrie ! Strange as it seems! R.I.P. Jerry Marino
Donald was a sweet, loving endearing family man. I always enjoyed our small business talks and his little pokes at Keri followed by a wink. He was a true family man and loved you all with every morsel of his soul. You will be missed at every family gathering. We will keep your fond memories close to our hearts. Keri, Sophia, and Luca we will always be here in love and support. Rest easy Donald??Prayers of healing,
Dena, Vin, Marina, & Marco
Dear Beth and family, your dad was one of my all time favorites!! He always put a smile on my face. He was kind, feisty and loved his family and friends deeply. I apologize that he lost a lot of money feeding me during the Plymouth days!!He will forever hold a special place in my heart. ❤️.
Beth
I’m so very sorry to hear of the loss of your dear father, may he RIP. Ted Foster
Dear Kathy, Beth, Donald,Kevin, Trisha and Family:
So sorry to read of your loss of your Dad. Please know, that I will be thinking of you, and praying for you all, during this sad time of loss. Love Anne Daley ????
Keri and Family,
We send our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Many wonderful
memories to treasure throughout the years. Donald will certainly be missed.
Condolences to the family. I recognized the name and picture. I worked at Don Mar Creations 40 years ago. Prayers.
Keri I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the joyful memories continue to fill your heart and give you strength. My sympathies.
Luca and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Kerri and family we are so sorry to hear of Donald’s passing. our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He was a man of Great respect, but always made time for other people.
Keri
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
May the memories you have made be a blessing and help get you through this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Keri and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, Donald was a great man and always had a smile on is face, he will be missed by all the lives he touched, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love Annie
Beth,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. Have a lot of fond memories of my time spent with him along with your family in my high school years. Christmas Eve parties were always the best. He framed my bridal portrait 35 years ago, and would not take any money for his work. I have never forgotten his generosity. May you and all of you find peace in your memories of such a great man. Prayers for you all.
Don,
so very sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing; he will always be with you. I do hope you take comfort in his wonderful legacy and your fond memories.
Paula Iacono
Thoughts and prayers for all of you at this difficult time.
Kathy and family,
We’ll be keeping you and the family in our prayers as you celebrate your dad’s life and many selfless contributions. He helped raise a very giving family, a tribute and example of how one should live their life. God bless him and the entire family.
Keri,
So incredibly sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I know you have a loving family and their support when you need it most. Take good care and treasure the wonderful memories you, Don & your children shared. Godspeed, Keri.
Don,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Helena and Don
We send our deepest condolences. I spent a lot of time at the house doing odd jobs and had a special connection with Don. Thirty-four years of memories. He will truly be missed. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.