Juvenile Delinquent, Champion Cha- Cha dancer, award-winning actor in High School, Ace Basketball Player, Marathon Runner (Completing over 25 Marathons and 515 road races), Jokester, Provider, Type A Personality, Loyal Employee of 30 years to Florida Power and Light (rising from Meter Reader to Marketing Executive), Father.
These are just some of the varied descriptions of my Dad.
He was a unique Cat, a true Leo, gifted with talents and haunted by demons.
Fran was dealt a rough hand right from the start. Born in 1939 to basically what would be the equivalent to today's South Beach party kids, my grandparents, though both gorgeous, were both ill equipped and irresponsible to raise a child, so they split up, my grandfather to go on to a semi pro boxing career and my Grandmother to join the Air Force at the dawn of WW2. And Fran? Well Fran got dumped from one grandparent to the next, from one aunt and uncle to the next. Never really knowing "Home", never knowing "Family" and heading straight for Juvenile, a life of crime, and not a happy ending.
But
WAIT... This is no Sob story. Quite the Contrary!!! For in those teen
years, Fran found Something...Three things that would change his life
forever and help to create mine! His Faith, Dancing ...and Rock N
Roll!!
Raised Catholic, Fran had a strong Faith, but it kicked into gear in his teens and would be a rock for him throughout his life, even saying his nightly prayers right up to his passing. LOL, But Dancing and Rock n Roll??? This was the DEVIL'S domain!!! And Fran took to them with fervor. Learning to dance from his Uncle Dom and Aunt Willetta, he became a ladies' choice on the Dance floor. and was fueled by the new sounds of this kid from Tupelo with the weird name and wild moves! In fact, my Dad saw this Kid, Elvis, the first time he came to Miami in 1956 in what is now the Gusman Theater.
In 1955, my Dad was transported from the tough streets of Chicago to the rural backwater of 1950s Homestead! CULTURE SHOCK for him AND his new school mates at South Dade High. But his energy, charisma, and dance moves won over this new crowd, many of whom became lifelong friends.
Upon graduation and without funds for College, Fran enlisted into The Air Force and was stationed in the far away post of Morocco. Morroco??? What the hell was he doing there?? Well apart from serving his country, he was Dancing his ass off at the USO!!! And Digging the sounds of James Brown, Muddy Waters and other Blues greats. All the girls wanted him on their dance card, but it was one French Brunette that really caught his heart. A phenomenal dancer herself with an odd name, Ghislaine...my Mother.
The fell in love, they Married, they moved back to the States, they had me. Times were tough, he bounced through several jobs, but always worked his tail off to provide. Finally landing with FPL for what would be an astonishing 30 year career, from entry level to executive status.
When he was 38, my Dad took up running and would run and run and run, He would run from his impoverished background and run to a great career, he would run from neglect and run to a family that loved him, he would run from the negativity of what he could have been, to what he had become, A Good Man. He ran. He ... Ran. He ran 515 road races, 25 of which were Marathons, some of which were grueling. New York, Big Sur, Athens, Twin Cities, Miami, Washington DC, Chicago. Disney, Honolulu. Just some of his completed runs. A testament to strength, a testament to Will.
Life moves on, ups and downs, my folks split up, but my Dad was always honorable to my Mom. He Loved his Daughter-in-Law, and was so proud of his Grandson and the legacy of his Name.
And with no doubt in the World, he Loved...ME!! He showed me, he told me, he hugged me, he kissed me, he played with me, and gave me his greatest gift...His time. Even Up until his very last days. And yes, I am writing this with tears in my eyes.
But this is not a sob story, this is a Celebration of Francis J Marinelli, Mr. Mars...Fran The Man. My Dad ...Your Friend.
There is so much more I could write, but I would love for you to add YOUR thoughts and Memories in the comments section here and throughout this Blog. Be sure to click on the tabs at the top of the page with great photos from The Early Years, Style, Running, Family, and Friends.
Thank you
Mykael Marinelli
