Family, Friends, Firefighters Pay Respects to Volunteer, 24

Stephen Marano was reflective, caring and the quietest of four close-knit brothers.

The 24-year-old waiter and Madison High School graduate liked to engage people on their opinions, and was passionate about video games and mixology.

Marano especially was proud to be a volunteer Green Village firefighter. When his grandmother's birthday was celebrated at the Green Village firehouse, Marano, a lieutenant with the department, which serves parts of Chatham Township and Harding, was excited to show younger relatives how different pieces of fire gear worked.

Those were among the memories of Marano shared by a cousin Friday morning in a eulogy at his funeral. Hundreds of friends, family members and firefighters filled St. Vincent Martyr Church in Madison for the mass.

Marano's body was found Monday by fellow Green Village firefighters after an intense three-day search. He had been reported missing Saturday morning, and authorities quickly began searching the area around where his car was found parked on Brittin Road in Chatham Township, including parts of the Great Swamp.

Msgr. George Hundt said during the mass Marano finally was free from burdens, darkness and confusion, and the young man with a bright smile was entering "eternal brightness."

Among members of the fire department, Marano had the nickname "Little Jesus," Hundt said. That was because firefighters joked he weighed so little he could walk on water during rescues if needed.

An antique Green Village fire truck was part of the funeral procession. Uniformed firefighters saluted, bagpipes played, and a fire department bell was rung as the casket was brought into the church.

"Steve was a wonderful man, great friend and dedicated firefighter," the Green Village Fire Department said in a Facebook post Monday night. "He is greatly missed and will always be loved and remembered by his friends and Brothers/Sisters of the Green Village Fire Department."

Marano is survived by his mother, Mary (nee Zara) Marano, his brothers, Anthony, Michael and Matthew, his maternal grandmother, Amelia Zara, an uncle and aunt, Frank Zara and his wife Marilyn, his cousins, Elizabeth and Nicole Zara.

An online fundraiser has been started to support Marano's family. Donations in Marano's memory to the Green Village Fire Department are appreciated, his obituary says.