[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 79 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM F. ``BABE'' MARCELLINO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 14, 2007

  Mr. MARKEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a dear 
friend and former member of my staff, William F. ``Babe'' Marcellino. 
The Babe passed away on May 9, 2007, after 90 glorious years. While I 
am saddened by his passing, I can't help smiling when I think about his 
life.
  Babe Marcellino was an American original in every sense. He was a 
well respected political sage on Beacon Hill and in Boston City Hall. 
He served as a close advisor to Governor Foster Furcolo, Senate 
President Maurice Donahue and Mayor Kevin White. He came to work for me 
later in life and stayed with me into his 80s. He was the essence of 
wisdom and quiet elegance. When constituents walked through the door to 
my office, the Babe would greet them with a wink and a smile. When they 
broke down in tears under the weight of their problems, Babe would tell 
them he was on their side. And he always was. He helped hundreds of 
constituents solve their problems with the federal government. I 
especially relied on Babe to help with particularly difficult 
constituent matters, because of his incredible ability to put people at 
ease.
  I will never forget his mastery of policy and his generosity of 
spirit following a terrible fire that ravaged an entire block of 
businesses right across from my Medford, MA, district office in 
February of 1994. Together, Babe Marcellino and I worked with the Small 
Business Administration and others in the federal government to bring 
relief to devastated business owners in Medford Square and to rebuild 
the downtown. Babe Marcellino was an exemplary public servant.
  Babe also was a wonderful teacher. He eagerly took younger staff 
members under his wing to impart his wisdom. Many of those former 
staffers have told me over the years that their experience in public 
service was richer for having known and learned from the Babe.
  He dearly loved his alma mater Holy Cross, and devoted a large 
portion of his time ensuring that Holy Cross became a national 
educational treasure that could be enjoyed by all students, regardless 
of their socio-economic condition.
  Babe was blessed with an extraordinary family for which his love was 
strong and enduring. He was remarkable for having two wonderful 
marriages. With his beloved first wife Maidie, he produced six 
incredible children--William Marcellino Jr., James Marcellino, Mary 
Zouberis, Richard Marcellino, John ``Jocko'' Marcellino, and Sister 
Noella Marcellino. After Maidie passed away, the Babe married the 
fabulous Marie, herself a widow. He ``inherited'' five terrific step-
children--Cathy Doran, Jane Driscoll, Stephen Doran, Mark Doran and the 
late Daniel Doran. Babe leaves 21 grandchildren, each with their unique 
and special memories of their grandfather.
  Watching Babe and Marie was like watching Fred and Ginger--they made 
a marvelous couple full of grace, style and class.
  When you were in Babe's presence, you could not help but to feed off 
of his optimism and his incredible inner strength. He was the 
quintessential gentleman. He often remarked after an enjoyable time or 
conversation together that the experience had been ``like a chunk of 
heaven. ``
  Babe, it was an honor to have known you and worked with you--and I am 
proud to honor your exemplary public service, your extraordinary love 
of family, and your unwavering faith in God and the United States of 
America. Your whole life was a chunk of heaven and all of us who love 
you will miss you dearly.

                          ____________________