2 minute read
Our Most Famous Residents
Written by Doug Humes
Growing up in the 1950s through the 1990s, you would have come across these names:
Joe “the Rocking Bird” Niagara
One of the first rock and roll disc jockeys.
“The Rocking Bird” Joe Niagara
Photo courtesy of Marple Historical Society
John Facenda
The voice of NFL Films (some say the “Voice of God!”).
Grave of sports broadcaster John Facenda
Photo courtesy of Marple Historical Society
Danny Murtaugh
Manager of the 1960 World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates.
1960 baseball card for Danny Murtaugh
Photo courtesy of Marple Historical Society
Gino Marchetti
Hall of Fame pro football player for the Baltimore Colts, and the person for whom the Gino’s fast food franchise was named.
A sports broadcaster who called play by play for the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the first Super Bowl game in 1967.
“Everybody Goes to Gino’s”
Photo courtesy of Marple Historical Society
Paul Arizin
Hall of Fame professional basketball player for the Philadelphia Warriors.
Philadelphia basketball star Paul Arizin
Photo from Wikipedia (public domain)
William J. “Wild Bill” Guarnere, Sr.
A member of the 101st Airborne Division who parachuted into France and fought their way to Germany as part of the “Band of Brothers,” chronicled in Stephen Ambrose’s 1993 book and the subsequent miniseries of the same name.
William “Wild Bill” Guarnere, Sr.
Photo courtesy of The Guarnere Family
Jack Whitaker
How great would it be to go to a party and have all of those people assembled in one place? As it turns out, they ARE assembled in one place, and have a Marple connection: their final resting place at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery on Sproul Road. As far as I can determine, none of those men were born or raised here, and how each one ended up here is a story that each family will have to tell. The Cemetery is operated by the Catholic Church, so the other thing that each of these famous folks likely had in common was their Catholic faith.
A site called Findagrave.com allows volunteers in local communities to post up information about the people buried in their local cemeteries.
The site asks people to rate each entry by how “famous” each person is. So when you go to any particular cemetery on the website, you will find a list of its most famous occupants. There are actually several more “famous” people at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery. I have listed just the ones whose names I recognized. And of course there may be more. It’s a peaceful place to stroll and enjoy the company of these famous 20th-century figures. And fellow taphophiles!
For more on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website and Facebook page, and join the Society to keep up to date on coming events: www.MarpleHistoricalSociety. org. Still no events or activities due to social distancing requirements, but hopefully soon, and event details will be posted on our website and Facebook page.
