Joseph F. "Joe Marmo" Marmo

Joseph Francis Marmo, 90, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 23, 2016. He was under the care of his family and Abode Hospice in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He was born on June 27, 1925, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Nicholas and Jane La Bella Marmo.

Joe grew up in Boston and joined the Air Force as a "Fly Boy" during WWII. He flew on the B-17 and the B-29. After the war, he attended The University of Michigan, where he played hockey and baseball. He played hockey for the Wolverines for three seasons from 1949 to 1951. The Wolverines won the NCAA hockey championships in 1951 against Colorado College.

While a student at the university, Joe met his future wife, Ann Rink, and they were married on April 22, 1949, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joe graduated with a degree in civil engineering, and eventually settled in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to work for the Department of Energy.

Joe created the Youth Hockey Association in Idaho Falls, and the sport spread throughout Idaho from there. He was elected national director of the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States in 1977. In 1986, he received the national William Thayer Tutt Award from USA Hockey in Colorado Springs. The annual award is given to a "volunteer who, during many years of service, has displayed a selfless dedication to the enhancement of ice hockey at the grassroots level in America."

In the mid-1970s, the Marmo-Lehto Ice Arena was built, and Youth Hockey finally had a permanent facility in Idaho Falls, which is still utilized today.

Joe founded the Idaho Golf Association in 1969, and he was active with the National Junior Golf.

In 1990, he was inducted into the University of Michigan Dekers Blue Line Club Hall of Fame.

Joe was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He had a passion for working with youth hockey, golfing, and life. He lived life to the fullest and was an inspiration and role model to so many people, especially his family. He dedicated himself to his family, career, and his never-ending desire to work with kids. He will be greatly missed by all.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Marmo; his parents, Nicholas Marmo and Jane La Bella Marmo; and his siblings, Tony Marmo, Fred Marmo, Caroline Matt, and Anna Vecchio.

He is survived by his sons, Joe Marmo Jr. of Lacey, WA, and Patrick Marmo of Kennewick, WA; daughter, Jane Whittington of Colorado Springs, CO; sisters, Antoinette Parmet of New York City, NY; Rose Tirrell of Boston, MA; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1690 E. 17th Street, in Idaho Falls, with Father Raul Covarrubias officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday, June 16th, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, in Idaho Falls. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hands of Hope Hospice, 1379 E. 17th Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83404; or the American Cancer Society, 2676 Vista Avenue, Boise, ID 83705. Cards and letters may be sent to Jane Whittington, 5470 Wittenberg Court, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.

A Funeral Mass will be held