Wayne Robert Marriott

Wayne Robert Marriott, born July 25, 1952, passed away April 14, 2023 at the age of 70 after a year-long battle with lung and brain cancer. He was predeceased by his father, Gordon L. Marriott; his mother, Barbara M. DeWitte; and his brother John G. Marriott. He is survived by his daughter Christina (Michael) Peterson and their children Owen, Liam, and Aaron; his siblings Roy Marriott, Holley (Rick) Bond, and Ken (Penny) Marriott; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Wayne entered the marine corps in 1970, receiving rifle expertise badges, good conduct medals, and National Defensive Service medals. He was honorably discharged in 1973. Upon returning home, he worked for several occupations, including (but not limited to): car sales, a radio DJ, and insurance sales, before eventually landing in the postal service for thirty years, where he thoroughly loved his job and customers. He retired from the USPS in 2012.

Wayne was an avid golfer and enjoyed many years playing within his golf league - his favorite course was Webster Golf Course, where he hit a hole-in-one on a par 3. When he wasn't golfing, he was often heard singing or playing guitar in his younger days. With a rich, deep baritone voice and his self-taught guitar skills, he was quite successful, and gained local popularity by playing small gigs and performing at weddings. Wayne was well known for his jovial nature. He had a charming sense of humor and even in the days leading up to his death, he often had his doctors and medical team in stitches. He was almost always well liked in every social setting he found himself in.

Often nicknamed "County" or "Wayne-r" by friends and coworkers, Wayne was a huge fan of music. You could often times hear him singing along to The Carpenters or Frank Sinatra while he walked his route, or whistling merrily while throwing stacks of mail into his case within the office. Favorites of his also included John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, Gordon Lightfoot, Big Band Era, as well as musical theater. Wayne was always very proud to mention his high school senior role in their production of The Music Man as Professor Harold Hill - even 52 years later, he still remembered every lyric.

Wayne's fight with cancer was brief by many standards, but no less valiant. A true marine to the end, he held himself with dignity, respect, and integrity; chin up and boots on. His bravery in the eye of the storm is still inspirational even after his passing. Above all of the qualities that we can remember Wayne Marriott for, is his overwhelming capacity to love. He loved with his whole heart, which radiated from his iconic mustachioed smile and twinkling eyes. In his final days he wanted all of his family and friends to know that he loved them all dearly, and he could feel their love surrounding him as well. He did not fear death but thought of it as, "perhaps, just the next great adventure." With loving reassurances from family on his final eve, he took that new adventure on the early morning breeze - quietly, respectfully, and peacefully - to where we cannot follow, but will see again in our own time.

At ease, Marine. Oo-rah.

We love you, too.

Calling hours for Wayne R. Marriott will be Monday, May 1, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at James R. Gray Funeral Home, 1530 Buffalo Rd. in Gates, NY. Interment will be private at a later date, in Western New York National Cemetery, Corfu, NY.

We wish to invite you to a Celebration of Life for Wayne on Saturday, May 27th, at B. Forman Park (pavilion 1) in Williamson from noon til 6 p.m. We ask that you bring a dish to share as we celebrate Wayne's life with food, music, and laughter.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wayne Robert Marriott, please visit our floral store.