Obituary of Christopher David Marcinelli

Christopher D. Marcinelli passed away on Friday, October 26, 2012 from complications of medical problems. He was born May 20, 1980 to Armando C. Marcinelli and Dorothy C. Schatz. Christopher was a 1998 graduate of Poughkeepsie High School and was attending Dutchess Community College. After the events of September 11, 2001, Christopher joined the United States Army as an Infantryman. He was deployed to Afghanistan in August 2003 and returned home May 2004. He was a proud soldier with the 10th Mountain Division and served with a truly remarkable "band of brothers" who he loved with all his heart, the men of B-Co., "Fightin First". After he returned home he was stationed at West Point and after his discharge from the Army, he was employed there as a civilian in the Protocol Office. Christopher was an avid hunter who loved to spend time outdoors and found his greatest pleasure hunting with his father and his uncles. He was so happy to have hunted with his father the day before he passed. He also loved to snowmobile and ride 4 wheelers, again something he did with his father and uncles. Christopher was a remarkable, intelligent man who had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone, especially his family, friends, or another veteran. He had the innate ability to make people feel welcome. He loved to tell jokes and play pranks. He loved his family with all his heart and will be missed by his parents, his sister, his uncles, aunts and cousins and his many friends. Christopher is survived by his parents, Armando and Dorothy at home; his beloved sister Amanda C. Marcinelli of Poughkeepsie; his grandmother Gabrielle Nelson of Palm Desert, CA; his uncle and aunt Charles and Linda Marcinelli, Poughkeepsie; his aunt/godmother Patricia and uncle Kevin Etts, Poughkeepsie; his uncle and aunt Joseph and Leesa Marcinelli, Highland; his aunt Edie Pugliese, Port Ewen; his uncle and aunt Peter and Tracie Schatz, Palm Desert, CA., his great uncle Anthony Marcinelli, Danvers, MA; cousins Erin, Kasey & Meghan Marcinelli; Martin & Bryan Schatz; Kyle & Katie Pugliese; Kevin, Jessica & Justin Etts; Joseph & Maria Marcinelli, Anita & Matthew Hoyt. He is also survived by his best friend whom he loved as a brother, Fabio Granese; and his brothers from Fightin' First 10th Mountain Division.; and his god daughter Isabella Avey. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Armando J. Marcinelli and Mary Marcinelli Bennett; his maternal grandfather Paul Nelson; his uncle John Pugliese; his uncle Peter Marcinelli; and his cousin Peter J. Marcinelli. Christopher reminded us often that he wasn't perfect and had made mistakes but he made progress each and every day to be a better person. One of the quotes he tried to live by was" Nothing is predestined; the obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings" and "What progress, you ask, have I made? I have begun to be a friend to myself." In lieu of flowers, donations in Christopher's memory can be made to: Wounded Warriors Project,, PO Box 758517, Topeka Kansas 66675 or the Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850. Other things may change us, but we start and end with family….Christopher, always in our hearts, forever in our minds. Calling hour will be held Tuesday October 30, 2012 from 4pm to 8pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York 12603. Funeral Services will be 10am Wednesday October 31, 2012at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at St. Peters Cemetery with Military Honors. If you would like to leave an online condolence or to light a memorial candle, please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com