Today, our son, brother, father, and most of all FRIEND, Marco Antonio Gentleman, the Gentle Giant, or as his loving special needs sister Anna calls him affectionately, "Jello" passed into eternity at 12:54am, Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at age 46. Marco, has passed on to a better life away from illness, pain and most of all heartbreak. Unfortunately, Marco is now laid to rest succumbing to an abrupt undiagnosed brain tumor which was disguised over the past several years as "mental illness".

And, the world we live in was enriched by and will never be the same as a result of Marco's unconditional kindness, love, forgiveness and the overarching generosity he provided people in his life as well as individuals he crossed paths with on a daily basis. We are all diminished by his untimely absence.

Marco Antonio Gentleman was born in the month of September 1971 in Newport, Rhode Island to parents Chief Petty-Officer of the Navy John Gentleman, Sr (father) deceased and Vincenza DeLuca-Gentleman (mother) and comes from a large group of siblings: Antonella, John, Jr., Carlo, Michael, and Anna Marie. In addition, he is survived by his two lovely adult children Justin and Caitlyn, who all loved him with all their hearts and wish that they could have one more day to share how important he was and will always be to them.

Marco grew up in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, Florida and dear friends who loved and knew him can still envision him playing soccer at Lake Lucina Field as a young boy and as a young adult, managing the Bakery Department at Publix on Arlington Expressway (which the store no long exists). He graduated from Terry Parker High School. As time passed, his mysterious condition began to take a toll on his home life and he eventually moved back in with his loving parents and sister. During that time Marco naturally took care of them and in return, they took care of him. Ironically on his bedside the day he was taken away to the hospital, there laid a grocery list...and on the list it said "Anna's milk." This reflected how much he loved and genuinely cared for his family.

Today, Wednesday, before leaving Marco's hospital bedside, his sister Anna Marie reached out and patted his belly, through the tears she said, "Hey Jello, it's me Anna, I'm gonna miss you." Mom as well through the tears said, "My son, I'm so sorry this happened to you. You took good care of me. I love you. I will miss you so much." He will be sadly missed, but not forgotten.

Rest in peace, little brother.

No service will be held at this time. However, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in his memory.