Obituary of Michael Joseph Marino

Michael Joseph Marino, 31, of Bluffton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2020 surrounded by family following a brief battle with liver cancer.

A 2006 graduate from Hilton Head High School with a particular passion for Art, Michael attended Technical College of the Lowcountry, graduating in 2008 from the School of Cosmetology, and continued his love for artistic expression into a career as a hair stylist. He worked at Fifth Avenue Salon on Hilton Head Island for the past nine years where he was well-respected and loved by his colleagues and clients alike.

Michael was an avid Dungeons and Dragons gamer and Dungeon Master, and leaves behind many friends and acquaintances who had the same passion for the game as he did. His love of the game was so strong that, following the closure of several gaming locations, he regularly hosted games at his house. He also enjoyed going on camping trips with D&D fans from all over the South.

Michael is predeceased by his mother, MaryAnn (Thompson) Marino. He is survived by his father, Louis Marino, of Bluffton, South Carolina; his paternal grandmother, Clara Marino, of Lake Worth, Florida; his aunts, Maria Marino-Bollan, of Boynton Beach, Florida, who helped comfort him along with his father in his last days, Sandra Marino and Barbara Marino Allen, of Lake Worth, Florida; and uncles, Joseph Marino, Jr., of Akron, Ohio, Michael S. Marino, of Loxahatchee, Florida, and Robert T. Marino, of Longwood, Florida; his cousin, Tessa Allen, of Lake Worth, Florida; extended family in Ohio, Connecticut, and California; and also is cats: Casey, Callie, and Lucy. Michael also leaves behind countless friends, clients, and coworkers in the Greater Bluffton/Hilton Head area whom he loved very much.

His father is in the process of planning a celebration of his life to take place at a date yet to be determined. The exact date and time will be posted on this site and on social media once it has been scheduled. Condolences, memories, photos, and messages to the family can be shared on his Facebook page or on this website.

The familiy would like to express thanks to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry and all the wonderful people who do what they do to comfort those at this time of need, and encourage donations be made in Michael's name to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry.

Special thanks to Dr. Frank Imbarrato. A family friend, Frank was supportive, compassionate, and present for Michael and his family from the moment they learned of his diagnosis. In addition to being a source of medical information, he provided invaluable spiritual comfort.

Cremation services were handled by Simplicity: Lowcountry Cremation & Burial Services in Bluffton.