Marvin Wick

Marvin "PaPa" Wick of Ocala passed away peacefully on the morning of February 22, following a lengthy illness. He had recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his family in December. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Schuck Wick, in 1987. Survivors include his daughter, Claudia O'Brien-Floethe, and her husband, Stephen, of Ocala; Grandchildren: Joan Floethe-Morrison of Micanopy and Brian Lee Floethe of Fort Myers; Grandson-in-Law Chris Morrison of Micanopy; Great-grandchildren, Taylor Kennedy Floethe of Fort Myers and Adam Morrison, Sam Morrison and Luke Morrison of Micanopy. Mr. Wick was born in Superior, Wisconsin, on December 8, 1925, son of John and Ingeborg Marie Johnson Wick, immigrants from Norway. Following in his father John's footsteps, he went to sea soon after his graduation from high school in 1942. He joined the United States Merchant Marine, and served honorably throughout the war, in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Following the war, he served as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was licensed by the United States Coast Guard as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer Master of sea-going steam and motor vessels of any gross tonnage. His career took him to ports throughout the world, and he loved sharing vivid stories of the places and people he got to know during those years. He and his wife, Katie, (who was lovingly called "GaGa" by her grandchildren) lived in Miami and Miami Beach during the 1960s, 70s and early 80s, where they were both employed in the hotel industry. They moved to Fort Myers to live near their daughter and her family in 1985. In Southwest Florida, Mr. Wick worked for the Florida Department of Transportation as a senior bridge tender and transportation yard supervisor. He retired from the Florida DOT in 2000 and moved to Ocala to live with his daughter and son-in-law the following year. Those close to Mr. Wick always called him "PaPa." All attest to his love for his family, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren mentioned above and his adopted grandson, Alex Cintron, RN of Belleview. He was devoted to his pet cats through the years. His pet at the time of his death, Ruski, will live with grandson Alex. PaPa Wick will be buried alongside his wife in the Fort Myers Cemetery. The family will hold a memorial service at a date to be announced. In PaPa's memory, the family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of Marion County.

Marvin Wick

December 8, 1925 - February 22, 2016