Obituary of Erasmo Marcozzi MR

Funeral Information for Mr. Erasmo John Marcozzi Home: Cinnaminson, NJ Birthdate: March 2, 1926 Place of Birth: Camden, NJ Date of Death: May 12, 2010 Age: 84 Service Information: Monday May 17, 2010 10:30 AM St. Stephen's Church, 6306 Browning Road,Pennsauken,NJ 08109 Visitation Information: Monday May 17, 2010 from 9-10 AM Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 North Browning Road, Pennsauken,NJ 08109 Interment Information: Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill,NJ Biography: Erasmo J. Marcozzi passed away on May 12, 2010 in Cherry Hill, NJ. Raz was born and raised in Camden. He was admired by all who knew him for his kindness and generosity. He was also a sports enthusiast.  He participated in most sports including playing half back with a local semi-pro football team , the Zuni Indians. Raz loved playing cards especially Pinochle and spent much time with his buddies at the "Club".  Most of the participants were all excellent players and the day was full of pleasant "kibitzing" .Whenever one of his friends passed on, Raz took it as a personal loss. Raz was firm in his belief of his church and religion and a founding member of the Catholic Knights of St. George, Camden. Raz had operated a number of businesses in Camden, while also bartending for others. His last full time employment was at the Merion Caterers in Cinnaminson where he attained the rank of shift boss and local union delegate. He also was well thought of by the owners and his fellow workers. Raz served, in the U.S. Navy, during World War II in the amphibious Division. When the Navy found out he was such a talented musician, they gave him a couple of extra stripes and he became part of the US Navy Band.  There he traveled with many Hollywood celebrities during the Bond drives of WWII . He also appeared at the Hollywood Canteen . During this time, Raz was a middleweight fighter using an alias. He won 13 straight bouts before he was discovered and had to quit boxing, as the Navy would not tolerate a "boxing" musician. Raz got along with everyone and went out of his way to do it. After his father passed away he took over as the patriarch of the family. He then devoted the rest of his life to caring for his mother and guiding the rest of the family. His brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews and their children were his whole life. He insisted upon Easter , Christmas and Thanksgiving family get tog ethers. Raz was a student of history and especially American History and was very patriotic. As the first son of immigrant parents, he loved his country and would never disparage his presidents, Republican or Democrat, as they represented all Americans and the United States. Raz is survived by his sisters Theresa (Anthony)Abbate, Josephine( Russell-deceased) Zerbo and his brothers Emedio ( Fran ) Marcozzi and Anthony ( Gertrude ) Marcozzi He will be surely missed. Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation & Funeral on Monday from 9-10 AM at the Falco/Caruso & Leonard Pennsauken Funeral Home, 6600 N. Browning Road . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at the Church of St. Stephen, 6300 Browning Road. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill .