Former Reading City Councilman Stratton Marmarou has died.
“The city of Reading mourns the passing of former District 4 Councilman Stratton ‘Strat’ Marmarou, who died this morning at the age of 92,” the city said in a release Thursday. “A lifelong public servant, Marmarou dedicated decades to the safety, civic life and well-being of Reading’s residents.”
Stratton Marmarou
Marmarou was a city policeman for 23 years – 18 as a detective – and followed that with 22 years as security director at Albright College.
He was elected to City Council in 2006 and served until 2022.
“The passing of Councilman Emeritus Strat Marmarou marks the end of an era,” said Council President Donna Reed, who served with Marmarou. “He will be deeply missed.”
As a councilman for nearly two decades, he was directly engaged with his constituents, paying attention and following through on their concerns, she said.
Reed said Marmarou’s accomplishments as a councilman included voting to preserve the Antietam Lake watershed and working collaboratively to help the city exit Act 47 state oversight.
“Councilors past and present respected him for his direct approach to issues and his personal thoughtfulness to his colleagues and the council staff,” she said.
Marmarou was still actively serving in office and in several professional, civic and religious entities well into his 90s, Reed said, and was a link from Reading of the 1930s to the early 21st century.
Mayor Eddie Moran said Marmarou brought a love of civic engagement, dedication and heart to public service.
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend, Strat Marmarou,” Moran said in a statement.
Although as mayor and councilman they worked closely together, Moran said they became friends when his son began playing with the Reading American Little League.
Marmarou was a dedicated supporter of youth baseball in the city and helped found the league in 1978.
“What started as time spent at the ballfields quickly turned into a friendship I will always be grateful for,” Moran said. “Strat was someone who truly cared about his community and the people in it.”
Reed and Moran noted Marmarou was a tireless advocate for the Ninth and Marion Fire Station, fighting for years to ensure a new state-of-the-art facility was built and service to the north Reading neighborhood would continue.
“I’m glad he got to see his vision come to life,” Moran said. “Our community has lost a true public servant and a good man. His love and commitment to Reading never wavered.”
Marmarou was an active member of the Berks County Democratic Committee and deeply involved with his church, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the mayor said, noting he also cared deeply about his family.
“They were his pride and joy,” he said.
Moran and Reed offered their condolences to Marmarou’s family and friends.
“Strat was one of a kind,” Reed said. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends. May Strat Marmarou be long remembered in this city he loved, and may his memory be a blessing.”