Witkos Names Theodore R. Marolda Veteran of the Month
September 3, 2015
State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8) named Theodore R. Marolda the “Veteran of the Month” this September. Marolda, a longtime Winsted resident, served bravely in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. After surviving many dangerous encounters overseas, Marolda founded and operated a local business for over 35 years.
“The amount Ted has accomplished throughout his life is astounding,” said Witkos. “After proudly serving our nation and surviving some unimaginable attacks, Ted went on to become a leading community figure in Winsted for decades. As a Marine, a business owner, a volunteer, a father and a husband, Ted is an exemplary and inspiring individual. I am honored to recognize him for his service and for his lifetime of good deeds.”
Marolda was born in 1923 and came of age during the Great Depression. He was the youngest of 12 children in a relatively poor family headed by Italian immigrant parents. After his father had a stroke, the 16-year-old Marolda left school to go to work and help support the family.
“By then it was already obvious to family and friends that he was going to be somebody,” his son, Larry, said when speaking about his father’s early life.
After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Marolda enlisted in the Marine Corps the next day. Within months he was on his way to the Solomon Islands, after abbreviated training. He landed on Guadalcanal in early August 1942 during the first US offensive action of WWII. Following that Marolda was caught in the violent reaction as the Japanese navy drove the US navy from the waters around Guadalcanal before the US supply ships were done unloading the Marine’s equipment and most of their food. The men would have starved but for captured Japanese rations.
What followed was six-month land, air and sea battle. Marolda and his comrades suffered from malnutrition and malaria. For the first months after the landing the Japanese had control of the air and the sea. The Japanese made several major attempts to recapture the Island. All were beaten off with heavy fighting and casualties. Marolda still feels the effects of ear damage he suffered as a result of a bomb that killed two of his friends who were a split second behind him as they all dove for a bunker during an air raid.
Marolda went on to two more landings on New Guinea and Cape Gloucester before returning to California in January of 1945 after more than two and a half years in the pacific. Marolda left the Corps in January of 1946 as a Gunnery Sergeant.
He married Margret Carol and together they had five children: three sons and two daughters (Dr. Theodore Marolda DDS, Lawrence Marolda, David Marolda, Margret Halloran and Carol Nardi).
They were together until her death in 2009, shortly before their 65th anniversary. Together they also have 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Upon his return to Winsted in 1946 he and his brother Ed (a WWII veteran of the US Army) started Winsted Floor Covering and employed a third brother, Victor (a WWII veteran US Navy). Within a few years they were able to buy the Winsted furniture company and combined their businesses to create the largest retail establishment in Litchfield County. He ran the business for 35 years until his retirement in 1985.
Marolda maintained an active role in the Winsted community serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Kiwanis Club, Chair of the Catholic Schools Annual Snow Ball Committee, Board Member of the Winsted Savings Bank, Board Member of the Salvation Army, Chairman of the Board for the Winsted town bicentennial committee (1972) and the same for the US bicentennial in 1976, active member of the Elks Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League, among many more activities and volunteer work.
Today he is 92 and remains an avid reader of history. He lives independently in the same eight-room house he has lived in for the last 65 years in Winsted.
“He has a will of iron,” said his son. “He did pretty well for a poor Italian kid with a ninth grade education.”
His son also praised his father’s ability to inspire others.
“He is extremely well respected and the example of his WWII service directly led a good number of the friends of his children to emulate him and enlist in the service, most in the Marine Corps.”
Marolda’s full story and a video interview can be found on senatorwitkos.com and at the following direct link: http://ctsenrepublic.wpengine.com/2015/09/veteran-of-the-month-theodore-r-marolda/#.VeXhToLbK70.
Senator Witkos’ “Veteran of the Month” program features the stories of local veterans each month through text and video. Each story highlights the veterans’ unique experiences and acts of service. To nominate a local veteran to be a “Veteran of the Month” please contact Christopher F. Diorio at the CT Senate Republican Office by calling (860) 240-8801 or emailing [email protected] This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ”
VIDEO interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_QddoL4TEI