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Obituaries

Carlos "Oky" Marrero, Peekskill Resident, Dies at 54

Peekskill resident died last week from complications due to brain damage resulting from cardiac arrest on July 23.

Carlos "Oky" Marrero, 54, of Peekskill, died Wednesday Aug. 3 due to complications stemming from a heart attack he suffered on Saturday July 23. Carlos - who went by his nick name "Oky," derived from his middle name Oscar - was a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico who moved to the United States 34 years ago. 

Oky is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Myrna, 56; his four children Carlos, 33; Oscar, 32; Rubin, 30; and Lauren, 22. He is also a grandfather of three: Selena, 12; Rubin Jr., 5; Angelina, 4; and 11 month old Javier Marreo. 

Oky spent 11 years in the Massachusetts cities of Boston and Springfield before settling down in Peekskill 23 years ago. An extremely hardworking man, he gained the respect of his co-workers leading by example. 

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Working many years as a Golf Course Maintenance employee, Oky worked on such Hudson Valley Courses as the Trump Golf Course in Stormville and "The Garrison." Oky took pride in his work ethic and taught his family and those around him the value of hard work. 

His oldest son Carlos said of his father "My dad always looked out for others and was always there for advice for friends and family, he was a very good man."

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Oky's last job was at LAZ Parking, a company whose Peekskill branch is sub-contracted by Metro North Railroad to maintain 35 of the Metro North train stations in the Hudson Valley. On Friday, July 22, a day that reached over 100 degrees on the heat index, Oky was sent back home because he was looking faint.

A sufferer of gout and diabetes, Oky forged on through the pain a during a particularly bad episode of gout mixed with the blistering temperatures during his last week of work.

Co-worker Kenneth Jones Jr. of Peekskill, who lives across the hall in the same apartment building as Oky, received a knock on his door the next day, July 23, by Oky's wife who frantically explained that her husband was not breathing. 

Jones, who is certified in CPR tried his best to resuscitate Oky, but could not and paramedics came shortly after, racing him to Hudson Valley Hospital Center. He was then hooked up to a life support machine. It is estimated that Oky had not been breathing for 15 minutes, which caused him severe brain damage. 

Oky was on life support until he died on Aug. 3. In order to receive medical benefits at LAZ Parking, a worker needs to put in three months of service. He would have been eligible for health insurance on Aug. 7.

The Marrero’s now face staggering medical costs from the time Oky was put on life support. They cremated his body to save funeral and burial costs, but are struggling to pay their health bills.

This article originally included information to donate money to Oky's family. Upon reading the article, LAZ Parking committed to covering all of Oky's expenses.

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