Dear Bucknellians,
It is with deep sadness that I share the news that our friend and colleague Lewis “Chip” Marrara has unexpectedly passed away.
I will share information about services for Chip as soon as details are available, but I wanted to make you all aware of this significant loss for our Bucknell family. As assistant dean of students and student conduct administrator in the Division of Student Affairs, Chip helped guide students through difficult times in their collegiate lives. He previously served as assistant dean of fraternity & sorority affairs and was an adviser to numerous student clubs and organizations. I know that many faculty and staff also worked in close partnership with Chip in his more than 18 years at Bucknell, and he will be dearly missed.
As we grieve our loss, please remember Bucknell’s many resources to help members of our community. The Counseling & Student Development Center offers 24/7 support for students, and faculty and staff may reach out 24/7 to a counselor through the Employee Assistance Program. University Chaplains are also available for assistance.
You are encouraged to visit our In Memoriam site and share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others. Please keep Chip’s family in your thoughts and prayers, and hold your loved ones close.
My best,
John
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Lewis Anthony “Chip” Marrara II, 54, of Lewisburg, entered eternal rest Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. He was born April 16, 1967, in Bellefonte to Cynthia and the late Lewis Marrara.
A 1985 graduate of State College High School and 1989 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, he earned his M. Ed from Pennsylvania State University. He completed his doctoral coursework at Virginia Polytechnical University.
Chip began his professional career in Student Affairs at Western Maryland College in Westminster, Maryland, followed by the University of Georgia, serving as Advisor to Fraternities. It was here in this capacity that he became a lifetime Bulldawg fan. For the past 18 years, he served as Assistant Dean of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and Student Conduct Administrator in the Division of Student Affairs at Bucknell University. Chip helped guide students through difficult times in their collegiate lives and was a mentor to many.
For 24 years, he was a loving husband to his wife, Nancy Mishtal. He was a devoted father to his sons, John of Atlanta, Ga. and Peter of Lewisburg. An all-around great dad, he coached Lewisburg Little League, Susquehanna Valley Stampede Hockey team, built annual backyard hockey rinks, and organized countless Father/Son camping and skiing trips. He was a loyal and devoted friend to many, whether it was kayaking Pine Creek, mountain biking with BEMBA where he served as treasurer, skiing in Lake Placid and Colorado and golfing with his Theta Chi brothers. He will be deeply missed by friends, family, and all who knew him.
In addition to his mother, wife and two sons, Chip is survived by his sister, Denise Marrara (Jill) of Alexandria, Va.; and brother, Anthony Marrara of State College; his sisters-in-law, Mary Mishtal of San Antonio, Texas, Ellen Mishtal of Arlington, Va., and Jean Hoffman (Dwayne) of Downingtown, Pa. Uncle Buck is also survived by nephew, Jacob Hoffman; nieces, fellow ESU Warrior Claire, Catherine the Great Hoffman, and Makenna Bailey of State College.
He was preceded in death by his father, his uncle, Carl Marrara; maternal and paternal grandparents, and brother-in-law, Theodore Mishtal.
Friends and relatives will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, 801 Market St., Lewisburg.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BEMBA (www.baldeaglemtb.org), Susquehanna Valley Youth Hockey League (www.sunburystampedehockey.com), or the Green Dragon Foundation (www.greendragonfoundation.org).
Please wear masks and observe social distancing.