Otto "Bob" Marenholz
April 20, 1934 ~ July 16, 2023
Born in:
Hamden, CT
Resided in:
Hamden, CT
Bob Marenholz, 89, of Hamden, CT passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 16th, 2023.
He was born in Hamden on April 20th, 1934. He was the son of the late Otto and Martha (Podgwaite) Marenholz. He is survived by his children, Ginny (Mike) McHale of Scottsdale AZ, Otto (Carol) Marenholz of North Reading, MA, Patricia (Jody) Loso of Middletown, CT, and Mary Marenholz of Hamden, CT. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, his brothers, John of Southington and Sterling (Tud) of Hamden, and sisters, Ruth DiGioia and Cynthia Joyce, both of Hamden.
He is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Beverly (Wade) Marenholz, his brothers, George, Albert and Richard Marenholz, and his sisters, Martha Marshall and Alma Rosadini.
He graduated from Hamden High School Class of 1951. He was a man of many talents, beginning his working career at Butterworth’s Farm, a diesel mechanic, a truck driver at Arco for 24 years, greenhouse manager at Cromwell Growers and DeLucia Farms, and in his retirement, a gentleman farmer in Drakes Branch, VA. His true passion was working at SVS Pro Shop, taking care of the Hamden hockey community.
Bob was a volunteer firefighter at West Woods Volunteer Fire Dept. Company #9, a member of the Keysville Ruritan’s Club, a parishioner of St. John’s Church in Farmville, VA, and founder of the Charlotte County Mule Rescue Team.
Bob was generous to a fault with his time and talents; if you needed him, he was there at any time of the day or night. You get what you give, and Bob was the recipient of many friendships throughout the years because of his selflessness.
Friends are invited to visit Bob’s family at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18th. Memorial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Sleeping Giant Park Association, www.sgpa.org, or Connecticut Hospice, www.hospice.com.
Services
Visitation: July 18, 2023 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
I was one of the fortunate young men (then) that had the pleasure of working with Mr. Marenholz at SVS Pro Shop in the late 1970s. It wasn’t really work though, it was a master class in learning the core elements of servant leadership. The core four teachers were Dick Gagliardi, Sr., Tom Ryan, Uncle Fred Gagliardi and of course Otto “call me Bob” Marenholz. If you asked anyone what kept the SVS machine going they would have to point to Mr. Marenholz. Selfless is hardly an apt descriptor of him. He knew how to fix anything, from the broken antique sewing machine to the cracked Tuuk blade, from my ’68 VW Fastback that wouldn’t start to the first hangover I had (coffee – cream no-sugar, greasy fries from Glenwood and a nap in the back of the stock room). He was quick with a joke and a pat on the back and he was a tireless worker. I can’t remember anyone that didn’t respect him and who wouldn’t go the extra mile for him. He certainly meant a lot to me and my brothers who also worked at SVS. We know where he is today and deservingly so. My heartfelt condolences go out to his entire family and the many more whose lives he touched and were blessed to call him their friend. Sincerely, Mike Langella SVS 1977-1980.
we met Bob when we moved to Virginia in 1999 and Mike spent many hours working on different pieces of equipment and riding the country side. WE would look at the cows get grain and have many cups of coffee together. He will be sadly missed by all of us. Give Mary a special hug and love also.