I first met Dave Marinelli when he was a student in the transmitter and receiver and antenna wave propogation classes I taught at the Radioman C-7 school at the Naval Training Center in San Diego. That had to be my best class. We had more fun while learning of any class I ever taught. Dave had that kind of personality and hearty laugh that just made people gravitate to him. After he completed the class, we started hanging around together, getting drunk, telling lies, partying, and just plain having fun. Dave was also a single father at the time with three children about the same age as my kids.
I
guess my most memorable stories of Dave were all the various "money making"
schemes we got into. Let's see, we sold New Wave (vitamins and cosmetics and
supposedly good for the body stuff), water filtrations systems, herbalife, plus
he went on to sell air filtration systems, gumball machines, and on and on.
Worst part was, we were basically just happy to break even. He was also someone
I hired in many different vocations as he was so reliable. He, and Curt White,
and Don Robinson must have attended almost every sporting event any of my kids
were involved in. Dave met the love of his life, Virgie, and they have been
married and living happily ever since. Virgie is such an easy going, mild-mannered,
soft and quiet lady you can't help but love her. NOT! Let me
tell you. This lady will stand toe to toe with anyone. Just what Dave needed.
But she truly is a beautiful woman, inside and out. I am so happy for them both.
I always knew Dave had a lot of love inside that he wanted to give someone.
When he found Virgie, he found his reason for living. Dave, as is Curt, was
always there when I needed him. I taught his class in 1980 so as you can see,
we have been friends for a long time. There was so much we had in common in
our raising of our children that has bonded us together forever. I could never
forget this friend, no matter what. So many great memories. Thank you my friend.