GREENVILLE, Pa.—Professor of English Mark DelMaramo, Ph.D., passed away early Friday, Feb. 3 after a fight with cancer. DelMaramo, 57, a native of Erie, Pa., was a member of the Thiel College faculty since 1989.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for DelMaramo at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 85 North High Street, Greenville, Pa. 16125 with Rev. Daniel Hoffman as chief celebrant. The burial will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Feb. 10 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Thiel College David Johnson Memorial Chapel, College Avenue, Greenville. A vigil prayer service will be held in the chapel at 8 p.m.
“The entire Thiel College family is saddened by the loss of a dedicated and enthusiastic professor,” Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., said. “Dr. DelMaramo had a lasting impact on his students and the greater community. The inspirational story of his experience with cancer and ensuing pilgrimage are testaments to his great faith, enduring hope and love of good stories.”
DelMaramo was diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2013. He went through treatments and was declared cancer free in November 2013. Just under a year later to celebrate the miracle of beating cancer and to thank the people praying for him, DelMaramo took a month to walk the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.
He returned to Thiel College to teach after his pilgrimage and shared his journey at a presentation to the Greenville and Thiel College communities.
DelMaramo was recognized in 2001 as a distinguished faculty award winner during Thiel College’s annual Founders’ Day celebration. He taught English and humanities courses at Thiel College. He cited the western humanities course he taught as his favorite as it studied art, music, religion, philosophy and history of the West from prehistoric times until the present day. He also got to indulge in detective fiction—his favorite genre—for a senior seminar class.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree from Gannon University (Erie, Pa.), and a doctorate from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
He and his wife of 27 years, Brenda, lived in Greenville. They have four children, Daniel, Nathan, Sarah, and Noah. Brenda DelMaramo is a lecturer in English at Thiel College.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael School, 80 N. High Street, Greenville, Pa. 16125; the Thiel College Langenheim Memorial Library, 75 College Ave. Greenville, Pa. or the Pink Angels of the Greenville Area, attn: Barb Walton, 6 Tanglewood Dr. Greenville, Pa.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.