Restaurateur Steve Marra Of Main Street Grille Found Dead
The Marra Restaurant Group had been in receivership since December 2010
Steve Marra, a longtime fixture on Main Street as well as in the Rhode Island restaurant scene, was found dead midday Wednesday, according to Warwick police. Marra lived on Ives Road in Potowomut.
At the Grille On Main Wednesday evening, restaurant manager Mario Abbondanza said he was waiting for word from the family before he could comment. He said he and other staff members had learned of the death a few hours earlier.
According to Warwick police lieutenant Andrew Tainsh, Marra’s death is still under investigation but said that he believed it had been deemed "not suspicious.”
For Dale DeJoy, owner of 58 Main Street, the building right next to the Grille, the news of Marra’s death came as a shock.
“He was my neighbor for 15 years,” said DeJoy. “It’s just horrendous.”
DeJoy said that the two men were friends on Facebook and that Marra was one of those people who posted frequently, usually very positive and upbeat comments. “I really don’t know what to think,” DeJoy said. “I’m sorry for all Steve’s family and for his employees.”
"I am saddened and shocked by this news," said EG Patch business reporter and former EG Chamber of Commerce director Jerry Meyer. "Steve was a great friend of the Chamber of Commerce which he assisted in many ways, including fund raisers," he said. Meyers also said that Marra showed leadership on community issues, including opposition to the proposed - and eventually defeated - West Warwick casino.
"Our weekly meetings were held around the conference table in his office," said Meyers. "His generosity and his presence as a leader in his industry as well as the community will be missed."
Marra took over Alias Smith and Jones, now the Grille on Main, in the early 1990s. In 1994, he teamed up with Bill Pinelli in what became a restaurant business powerhouse in the state during the 1990s and into the 2000s.
At its peak, Pinelli-Marra Restaurant Group operated several restaurants, a catering company and a real estate firm. In addition the Grille and the Post Office Café, it owned Pinelli’s North End, Waterplace Restaurant, Pinelli’s Cucina Twist, Pinelli’s Cucina, Twist Restaurant, Twist Restaurant II; and Atomic Catering.
The partnership ended in 2009, when Marra bought out Pinelli and took over sole control of the business.
Marra Restaurant Group filed for receivership on Dec. 8, 2010, and the Post Office Cafe was closed by order of the receiver last Jan. 9. All of the restaurants were put on the market in January; in February, the highest bidder was a company comprised of Marra’s brother and father. Marra stayed on as manager of the restaurants.
Also in January, former partner Pinelli filed suit against Marra, accusing him of stealing money from the partnership. A settlement in that case was reached in February.
Kristin Wheeler
7:55 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wow! Terrible news!!! Very sad for his friends and family.
Barbara Greene
7:58 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Oh dear....Condolences to his family and friends....
David
8:17 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Steve was a perfect gentleman, a caring and great friend. He was an asset to our town and what difference does it make that he had a glitch in a verrrrrryyyy succesfull business. Shame on the patch for adding it to their post.
Mariann
9:09 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Good for you Allen Gammons. I agree.
All who knew Steve were touched by him in some way. Some people aren't even fortunate enough to meet anyone as wonderful as Steve Marra. So many will have all great memories of this truly altruistic and extraordinarly amazing man. Prayers for all. Rest In Peace Stevie.
KK
9:10 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
His contributions, time and money, played a big part in the defeat of the casino. He was a generous man.
Elizabeth McNamara
9:35 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
EG Patch would like to run a story about all the things Steve Marra did during his life that aren't reflected in this and other news stories. If you have something to add, please send an email to elizabeth.mcnamara@patch.com
Phil Scelfo
9:42 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
How very sad .....Steve was always "the perfect gentleman".
Our heartfelt condolences to his family.
Mia Florio
9:50 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I agree with Allen. He did so many amazing things for his community and the state. He always gave back! He will be missed!
Brian Machado
10:25 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
B Machado
Steve was the greatest human being that ever walked this earth.... Rest in pease,
My condolences to the Marra family.
He will always be remembered, and missed
Jen
11:30 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Jen
I agree also Allen, why would they post his personal life???? Seriously.... a wonderful man has been taken from all of us. Shame on you patch... and my sincere condolences to his family. RIP Steve.. :( "SO SAD"
$ketch
11:32 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Couldn't agree more with Allen Gammons. Steve was a great friend and business person and was always kind to everyone. He will be sadly missed.
nick
4:38 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Steve was a supercool dude. It doesnt make sense hes dead, was he sick? He was always eating right and exericising. He liked to look good, and he almost always did, especially in his magnum pi ferrrari back in 1984. something smells rotten in denmark, although, i hope not, geesh thats terrible. my condolensces as well.
Kelly Collins
11:51 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Steve's passing. He was a legend who should be credited for saving Main Street. The Grille on Main and Post Office brought in traffic that boosted our economy and gave our town the "pick me up " that we needed at the time. Those of us who knew him will remember him for his kindness,generousity and compassion. He was a class act that will be missed.
Brian rego
12:01 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
My condolences to the marras!steve marra that man put me on the map. He always took care of me him and his family and ill never forget that! Steve rip buddie and youll always be on my mind and my heart. You the man steve!
Mel
12:15 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
So sorry to hear about Steve. He was always a nice guy, and host.
Tillinghast Family
6:39 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to the Marra family at this time. His contributions to Main Street run deep and will live on. We appreciate the business his restaurants brought to Main Street and the efforts he brought to keep Main Street the best place in Rhode Island. May he rest in peace.
Sam Spadavecchia
7:33 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why Steve left this earth so soon, or why he left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that he died, but that he lived. And that his life gave us all memories too beautiful to forget. My thoughts and prayers go out to both the Marra and Pinelli Families.
Longtime Res...
8:50 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Always a true gentleman and friend who will be sadly missed by many.
Sincere condolensces to the Marra Family.
Town Clerk
9:06 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
I didn't know Steve very well but the few times I had the pleasure to speak with him, he was so kind. What a gentle soul. My sympathies go out to his family and all his friends.
Judy Bailey
11:56 am on Thursday, September 1, 2011
So sorry to read this awful news. I came to know Steve as a kind , generous young man who was an asset to our community. My condolences to his family and friends.
rick corrente
5:16 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
I saw Steve 1,000 times. Never once without a smile.I never knew anyone with more self-confidence.I can't believe he's gone. Rick Corrente
Melissa Johnson
7:01 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Kudos to ALLEN GAMMONS! What kind of society do we live in, that some people speak ill of those passed. Shame on you! Steve Marra began as my employer and became not only a mentor, but a great friend. He was always there for not just his friends, but the entire community which surrounded him. People from one end of this state to the other speak nothing but praise of this man as we all should!! He thought me many things but most importantly he taught me how to appreciate what I had and strive for the things I wanted. I now wish I had the opportunity to tell him this and so much more. Confusion seems to monopolize my feelings as I ask myself why...and try to understand. I just saw you the other day? My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all who cared about him. RIP my friend, may you greet your next journey as you greeted each day....with a smile!
Amie Elliott
8:28 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Dearest Steven, Mr. and Mrs. Marra, Doreen, Kenny, Michael and Nicolas, whom I never got to meet. I will never get over the loss of you. My family and myself are so sorry and praying for all of you. You all need to know how much he meant to me. Steven, you will always be the love of my life, and I look forward to seeing you in the afterlife. Love and Prayers, Amie Elliott
Jeff Butler
9:57 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Steve Marra's passing. ~ I have known Steve and his family for over 30 years and they are all class acts. Steve was a great and multi-talented guy, always willing to help anyone. He was loved by many and will be sadly missed by all that knew him.
Hopefully the Patch will also acknowledge all his great accomplishments that those of us that knew him are all well aware of. My condolences to his family. Celebrate his many acheivements in his full, but way too short, life. RIP Steve.
Joe "Ski" Pomoransky
8:03 am on Friday, September 2, 2011
I met Steve at WaterFire several years ago. I couldn't help but introduce myself and tell him that he reminded me of Peter Fonda, he laughed. From then on, whenever we met, at WaterFire, or Waterplace Restaurant, he always greeted me like we where old friends, with a big smile, a hug and warm greetings. That's the kind of man I knew Steve to be. My sincerest condolences to his family, loved ones and friends. RIP Steve, you will be missed.
kevin
8:23 am on Friday, September 2, 2011
my heart goes out o the family.. i worked for steve for many years,and i will say he was the most compationate,understanding,giving and bussines man i knew, i looked up to him as a mentor.he was always there for me at that time threw good and bad,, rip steve we lost one of the greast humanbeings on earth.
Kristin
8:01 am on Saturday, September 3, 2011
My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. Steve was such a wonderful guy. I use to work for him in the beginning of my career as a catering coordinator and he helped me quickly move up through the company. All of my achievements are thanks to his willingness to take a chance on me. I think about him every time I get a promotion. I've always wanted to tell him that.
Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Stevens
4:05 pm on Saturday, September 3, 2011
Our deepest condolences go to the Marra family and the business community he served with a smile and inspired with more than a flair about him. As a business owner flailing through this downward spiral of an economy, it is with sad regret that we see this tragedy take place. No words could ever convey the heartache we feel as part of the EG community. This truly sad time always brings out the single minded reporting of the simple minded print media in RI. The lack of competition allows the only source to wield its power as a mighty sword. The truth always reveals itself, as water seeks its level. Stephen may you rest in peace eternally. God Bless you.
Cheryls
3:54 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I had the pleasure of knowing Steve for at least 30yrs..we go way back when his family owned the Troll shop..He always had a smile & hug and a kiss everytime I saw him..althought I had not had the pleasure to have seen him in the last 4 yrs my heart is broken...He was a pleasure and will be greatly missed by all..my thoughts and prayers go out to the Marra Family...R.I.P SteveXO