Community For the Betterment of Youth

BRADENTON -- Nunzie Marinelli has dedicated his life to those words. As we sat in his living room and discussed his involvement in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, there was a common theme among all aspects of Mr. Marinelli’s life; he has a true passion for children.

Mr. Marinelli was born in West Virginia. After graduating from Marshall University, he moved to Bradenton in 1959, which is where he raised 2 beautiful children with his wife of 53 years. It was then he first got involved with the Boys Clubs of Manatee County.

His lifelong love of sports and his dedication to children is what drew him to the Boys Club in those early years. But it was a need he saw that truly defined his impact with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. In August 1964, Marinelli and a group of concerned citizens got together to discuss the possibility of forming a Boys Club branch in the south county area. This group, which included Bill Evers, Forest Johnson, Ed Dick, Robert Hendrickson, Harold Brokaw, Richard Albrecht, Dr. Robert Gibson, John Doffert, and Helen Robinson, saw a real need in this area of Manatee County to serve children. 

Nunzie Marinelli

”In the beginning, all we had were basketball hoops we installed on a dirt mound," recalled Marinelli. "Once we saw we were filling a void in the community, we knew we needed a building.“ 

In 1965, they got their wish. The ”Bayshore Branch“ opened its doors in a loaned store in the Bayshore Gardens Shopping Center. Two years later, the ”dirt mound“ on the corner of 53rd Avenue and 34th Street was transformed into a building and they moved their operations. Marinelli suggested the branch be renamed as the DeSoto Club -- and so it was.

Mr. Marinelli remained on the Board of Directors, serving as Vice-Chairman & Chairman, for the DeSoto Branch for 25 years. It was during his term as Chairman in 1971-1972 that Carl Weeks, who remains on staff as President of the organization to this day, was hired. After resigning in 1989 from the DeSoto Branch Board of Directors, Nunzie didn’t disappear like many volunteers. He continued to Chair several events, such as the Pancake Jamboree, Fish Fry and Annual Cookout at the Christmas tree lot. It’s those 3 activities that he considers his favorites. 

”I so enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship between the Boys & Girls Club people and our community,“ he said.

When these programs were suspended in 2008, Marinelli finally stepped away from the Boys & Girls Clubs. He continues volunteering for the organization today at the age of 82, soliciting donations and providing food to the press box during Friday night football games at Southeast High School, where he taught for many years. 

Coach Paul Maechtle marvels at Marinelli’s capacity to give of his time. Maechtle said, ”You understand that he did all of this (Boys Club, volunteering for the School Board and my football program) while holding a full time teaching position and raising two children. It’s astonishing.“ 

Carl Weeks, Boys & Girls Club President added, ”Nunzie was a Ôfounding father’ if you will. He was a charter member of the DeSoto Boys & Girls Club Board. Without him, there might not be a DeSoto Club. Not many people today see a need and take action. We all see the needs, but it’s the taking action and doing something about it, that sets Nunzie apart. I am so grateful for him and the many things he has done for our organization let alone for me personally.“

At the conclusion of our morning, Marinelli is asked what he would say to the club kids today. After a pause, he looks out the window and smiles, ”What a wonderful opportunity you all have here to learn sportsmanship and leadership.“

If one didn’t know better, they would think there was a group of boys out in his yard, shooting hoops on a dirt mound, and the year was still 1965.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County has begun interviewing alumni, donors, current families and volunteers in an effort to begin a series of articles about our organization and its mission. This is the first in that series.