Jose Ismael Marrero

On the morning of August 20, 2015, José Ismael “Tito” Marrero, 61, of Pompano Beach died after a years-long battle with cancer. He spent his final days at home, as he spent his life, surrounded by family. Born February 20, 1954, in Utuado, Puerto Rico to Carlos Manuel Marrero and Alba Luz Malaret, José is survived by the love of his life, his wife Virginia Marrero Cortés, his son José Miguel and wife Alexa, his daughter Dee-Ana and husband Nick, his granddaughter Addison, both his parents, his brother Carlos, his sisters Alba and Lillian, and a community of friends and family that stretches across continents and reflects José’s profound influence on all those whose lives he touched.

José attended the University of Arizona and the University of Texas at El Paso in the early 1970s before earning his BBA from InterAmerican University in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

In 1975 José began his Internal Revenue Service career as a taxpayer service representative in Puerto Rico. He became a revenue agent in New Orleans in 1977, and became a special agent in 1979. He held positions of increasing responsibility as group manager in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Denver, Colorado; senior regional analyst in Dallas, Texas; and Chief, Criminal Investigation Division in Jackson, Mississippi, St. Paul, Minnesota and Plantation, Florida. In April 2003, José was selected as the Deputy Director of Strategy at Headquarters in Washington, DC. José retired from government service on May 1, 2004, after 30 years with the IRS.

During his tenure with the IRS, José became the highest-ranking Hispanic in Criminal Investigation (Chief/SAIC) after his appointment as Chief in Jackson, Mississippi in October 1989 as well as the first Hispanic Special Agent In Charge and the first Hispanic Deputy Director of Strategy in the history of the Internal Revenue Service. He served on Internal Revenue Service committees and various task forces including the Southeast Regional Compliance Council, the Hispanic Employment Program, and was the Hispanic Internal Revenue Employees Chapter President in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was voted the Criminal Investigation Chief of the year for Mid-states Region in 1995 and EEO Manager of the Year in the North Central District for 1997. In 2002 José was selected as the Special Agent in Charge of the Year.

After retiring from the IRS, José worked in the private sector and was a founding partner of The MRW Consulting Group, LLP before finally forming JMPA Consulting and Advisory with his partner and former colleague Scott Rebein.

José’s professional accomplishments were matched by enthusiastic personal and community pursuits. He loved to golf – especially with his best friend Manny and nephew Jan. He would be easy to spot on the golf course as he would likely be wearing something purple in honor of his all-time favorite team, the Minnesota Vikings. He also loved games of chance, and whether by luck or by skill, he fared remarkably well at the 3-card poker table. A lover of all forms of entertainment, he was equally likely to be found besting his son, Miguel at a game of Rainbow Six on his Xbox or binge watching a new TV show with his daughter, Dee. The Marreros used technology to bind their tight-knit family, sending thousands of emoji-filled text messages to share a joke, provide updates on work or family, or just to feel closer from across the country. True to his Caribbean roots, José loved nothing more than to bring his family together on a cruise ship where they would enjoy tropical weather, lavish meals, exciting excursions, and most of all the joy of uninterrupted time together.

His commitment to community extended even beyond his own Puerto Rican heritage: José was a proud member of the Italian-American Civic League of Fort Lauderdale, a Knight of the 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Lions Clubs International of Lino Lakes, Minnesota. He spent much of his free time doing pro bono work for his church and volunteering his time and services to Habitat for Humanity in Broward. He also was a sponsor of their Youth Program Field Day for many years.

One of José’s passions was his time spent with the Association of Former Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service (AFSA). He served as the Committee Chairperson for the Investigative Seminar from 2005-2014, 2nd Vice President in 2007-2008, Vice President/President Elect in 2009-2010 and as President from 2011 to 2012. He was both honored and humbled to work with his peers in this capacity and thoroughly enjoyed the annual conventions he attended with his wife, Virgie.

José, known to his son as ‘Pop’ and his daughter as ‘Daddy’, loved to laugh and to make others laugh. Rarely could one find him upset or angry for anything longer than a moment. He was generous with his time and resources, and he welcomed others into his life and his home. He was a mentor and leader. He was a family man and a consummate professional. He was a hero to more people than he ever realized.

The memorial service for José will be held at Saint Vincent Catholic Church on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. The church is located at 6350 NW 18th Street, Margate, FL 33063. For questions or directions, contact the church at (954) 972-0434.

Those wishing to show their support may consider a contribution to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in acknowledgement of the tireless care given to José by Dr. Denise Pereira, Michelle Sapp, DNP, ARNP, BC and Michelle Charlow and the vital work being done there in the fight against cancer. http://sylvester.org/community/giving/make-a-gift-today No flowers please.

"It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness and I pronounce it as certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” -Benjamin Franklin