Father Robert Marino, pastor of St. Philomena Parish in Franklinville, died Jan. 16, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, after a long illness. He was 61 years of age.

He was born Nov. 28, 1955, in Camden, N.J., to Angelo and Rose (Auletto) Marino of Hamburg. He graduated from Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights, N.J., and attended Syracuse University, where he received a bachelor's degree in interior design, and Houghton College in Caneadea. He spent 14 years working as a design consultant before pursuing a vocation to the priesthood later in life.

Father Marino attended St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Florida and Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, and received a master's degree in divinity.

He was ordained Nov. 15, 2008, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo, by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec. During his brief time as a diocesan priest, he was parochial vicar of St. Gabriel Parish in Elma from December 2008 until November 2009, when he began serving at St. Philip the Apostle in Cheektowaga.

In September 2011, Father Marino was named administrator of St. Philomena in Franklinville, and in February 2014, he was named the parish's pastor. During his time there, he was instrumental in the formation of Catholic Charities' outreach center in Franklinville.

He is survived by a sister, Donna Marino-Vinci, and a nephew, Marco Vinci, both of Palm Bay, Fla.

A funeral Mass was held at St. Philomena Church, with burial in Calvary Cemetery in New Jersey.