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Anthony L. Marra entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at EverTrue Cumberland Crossings Nursing Home in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He was 89. Born on October 9, 1936, in Hoboken, New Jersey, Anthony was the son of the late Michael D. Marra and Frances Marra. and the eldest of two children.

Anthony lived a full and purposeful life, distinguished by deep faith, devotion to family, and service to his country. He was first and foremost a man of God, a loving husband and father, a proud patriot who served in both the United States Army and Air Force, and a gifted professional whose talents spanned architecture, music, and automotive racing.

A descendant of Italian immigrants, Anthony was raised in Hoboken and educated in both public and Catholic schools. He graduated from Demarest High School in New Jersey and went on to attend Columbia University in New York City. He grew up in a large extended family engaged in many skilled trades, including a long family tradition of hand-crafted shoemaking passed down through generations of Italian artisans.

Anthony's love of music emerged early. While still in high school, he formed his own jazz band and performed as a clarinetist for local audiences and school events. Music remained a lifelong passion and source of joy throughout his life.

His education was interrupted by the Korean War, during which he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1953 to 1956. His commitment to service continued decades later when he joined the Air Force Reserve in 1970 at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. Assigned to an aeromedical evacuation unit, Anthony flew aboard C-141 Starlifter aircraft, helping transport wounded and ill service members and their families from remote locations around the world to U.S. medical facilities. He retired honorably in 1994, having earned numerous awards and decorations.

Following his Army service, Anthony resumed his studies at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, earning undergraduate degrees in Architecture and Construction Management. He achieved National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certification, allowing him to practice architecture nationwide. His career included work on numerous notable projects, including the State University of New York at Albany; the General Motors Building in New York City; the World Financial Center at Battery Park City; the Dag Hammarskjöld Office Building at the United Nations; the opera section of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.; the University of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science in Islamabad; and the Canary Wharf Office Complex in London, England.

Automobiles were another lifelong passion. Anthony was an avid racing enthusiast who raced his own Porsche, restored classic vehicles, and was a devoted BMW owner for much of his life. In later years, he volunteered as a tour guide at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, Pennsylvania.

On December 7, 1958, Anthony married Barbara Policastro, the love of his life, in Hoboken, New Jersey. They shared more than 67 years of marriage. Together they raised three children: daughter Barbara (David Muller), son Michael (Brenda Marra), and daughter Ann (Charles Chapel). Anthony and Barbara were proud grandparents to Molly and Maxwell Marra.

Throughout their life together, Anthony and Barbara made homes across the country—from a restored Victorian home in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, to a modern home Anthony designed and built near the Gulf of Mexico in Freeport, Florida, followed by moves to Frederick, Maryland, and later Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to be closer to family and grandchildren .

Anthony's Catholic faith guided him throughout his life. He was a faithful parishioner wherever he lived and served on numerous church architectural advisory boards. A special spiritual milestone was the celebration of his and Barbara's 50th wedding anniversary at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Their faith also led them on pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world, including the Holy Land in Israel, Lourdes in France, and Conyers, Georgia.

Anthony is survived by his wife Barbara, and his three children, Barbara, Michael and Ann and their respective spouses – David, Brenda and Charles, along with his grandchildren, Molly and Max Marra. He is preceded by his parents, Michael and Frances Marra and sister, Mary Marra.

Anthony will be deeply missed by his loving family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his faith, generosity, and remarkable life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 85 Marsh Drive, Carlisle, PA.  Rev. Chiedozie F. Ononuju will be the Celebrant. A fellowship luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church.  The burial with military honors will be at 2:30 p.m. at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made EverTrue Cumberland Crossings Retirement Community, 1 Longsdorf Way, Carlisle, PA 17015.  Condolences may be left at www.EwingBrothers.com.