What is AVM - Arterio-Venous Malformation The Salvatore P. Marra Foundation

Biography

What you are about to read is a short description of the events from Sal's life. Sal was born in Morristown, NJ where he lived for about one year until moving to Little Falls, NJ where he would spend the remainder of his life. Growing up, Sal enjoyed a normal childhood shared by his brother, Nicholas. He spent a lot of his time playing tackle football at the park and keeping his younger brother from tagging along. Sal was blamed for most incidents around the house, even the ones that weren't his fault. He used his pocket money to buy Fire Balls and these little pink Necco candy that I just hate. He used to hold me down and breath on me with one of those god awful things in his mouth! It would make me want to vomit.

Football, wrestling, and basketball were also apart of his middle-high school interests. Not only did he grow up playing sports, he also enjoyed watching the games. His favorite teams growing up was the Miami Dolphins and New York Yankees. He even wore a turquoise suit to an 8th grade dance to prove his dedication to the Dolphins.

During high school Sal enjoyed wrestling up to his Junior year. Clubs, parties, and social gatherings dominated the rest of his high school career.

After high school Sal went on to Rowan College (previously Glassboro University). Here he made two life long friends Mike Pentland & Jill (not sure what her last name was). He later became Godfather to Mike & Jill's daughter Annabelle and spent much time with their family. After spending a year or so at Rowan, he decided that being far from his home and family was not for him. He finished his degree at William Paterson University and got a job working with Congressman William Pascrell, Jr.. Here Sal learned to master social etiquette and honed his political speak. Sal attended many political functions & fund raisers that allowed him to form the grand social network that attended his wake. People suffered through the blistering cold and endless lines that filled the streets of Little Falls to pay their respects. The Congressman noted the amount of people waiting on line and took it as a testament to how he touched so many lives while he was living.

Obituaries

Source: Herald News

Date: Monday, December 20, 2004

Title: Salvatore P. Marra, 26 was aide to congressman
By Suzanne Travers

LITTLE FALLS – Salvatore P. Marra, 26, a Little Falls resident and aide to U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., died Saturday after collapsing Wednesday from a congenital brain disorder.

Pascrell’s aides wrote a tribute to their colleague Sunday, remembering how he loved his family, friends, sports and hard work. They recalled a young man with a huge grin who loved spirited debates.

What most set Marra apart, said Dave Fillippelli, former Pascrell communication director, where is unseen acts of friendship, “his unique ability to be a friend to anyone and everyone, regardless of their background, and just to make people smile…He embodied the principle that you are who you are when nobody is watching.”

“Sal was a beautiful human being,” Pascrell said in a written statement. “He meant so much to our efforts to serve the people of the 8th Congressional District, and loved every minute of his service. We are devastated by Sal’s untimely death.”

Born July 7, 1978, Marra played sports at Passaic Valley High School and went on to William Paterson University, where he graduated with a bachelors’ degree in political science in 2002. During college he interned at the congressman’s office, where he later became a full-time field representative. His colleagues said he was guided by loyalty, integrity and the opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives. Marra collapsed in the Congressman’s Paterson office Wednesday form arteriovenuous malformation, a congenital disorder in which arteries and veins in the bran grow together and hemorrhage. He was unaware of the disorder, said Ed Farmer, Pascrell’s chief of staff. He underwent surgery and was in a drug-induced coma, but died Saturday. Marra is survived by his parents, Dennis and Patricia Marra; his younger brother, Nicholas; and grandparents Salvatore Marra and Mary Gallipoli. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Gaita Funeral Home, 154 Pompton Ave, for visitation 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and a funeral at 9 a.m. Wednesday. That will be followed by a funeral Mass at Holy Angels Church at 10 a.m. Internment will be at Laurel Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The Salvatore P. Marra Foundation, 47 First Ave., Little Falls, N.J. 07424.

Congressional Record

By any measure, Salvatore P. Marra’s life was as unique as it was extraordinary. He was a young man whose unwavering love of family, commitment to friendship and appreciation for the value of hard work far exceeded his years. While his life was marked by great achievement and public accolades, it was the countless unseen acts of goodness toward others that made him who he was. Known to his friends and family as “Sal,” he was a young man who had the special ability to make all the lives around him better.

On Saturday, December 18, 2004, the world abruptly lost one of its most treasured sons, Salvatore P. Marra, 26, of Little Falls, New Jersey. Sal was a beloved child, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, a trusted colleague and friend.

“Sal was a beautiful human being, wrapped up in a young man’s body. He meant so much to our efforts to serve the people of the 8th Congressional District, and loved every minute of his service. We are devastated by Sal’s untimely death,” said Congressman Pascrell.

Born July 7, 1978 to Patricia and Dennis Marra, Sal was a very happy child. A wonderful playmate and model for his younger brother Nick, Sal never failed in his role as protector and moral compass for his little brother.

A 1996 graduate of Passaic Valley High School, Sal was a fun-loving student-athlete. A dedicated member of both the football and wrestling teams, he became a champion wrestler and then went on to William Paterson University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a minor in History in 2002.

With a huge grin that seemed ever-present, Sal loved so many aspects of his life. He loved to travel with his family, to drive his new car, and to engage in spirited debate with his friends on the issues of the day. He loved his fantasy sports team, to play a game of cards, and always seemed to have the newest gadget or cell phone. Sal loved to cook with his Mom and Dad, to pick out a new suit or tie, and to just spend some quality time watching a movie with his friends.

What most set Sal apart from others, however, was his unique ability to be a friend to anyone and everyone, regardless of their background, and just to make people smile. Whether you were a Senator or an office worker, Sal treated you exactly the same, and made you feel special for that moment he was with you. He embodied the principle that you are who you are when nobody is watching.

As a young man, his greatest passion was unquestionably his work. In the summer of 2002, Sal joined the office of U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. and immediately became in integral member of the team. Sal's approach to his job was grounded in the principles of loyalty and integrity that guided his whole life, and in the enormous respect he had for his position. He was guided not by fancy titles, but by the opportunity to serve and to make a difference in the lives of others.

Sal is survived by his beloved parents, Dennis and Patricia Marra; his loving brother, Nicholas; and grandparents, Salvatore Marra and Mary Gallipoli.