October 18, 1999 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Gorilla Monsoon, Droz paralyzed, more

Bob “Gino” Marella, who under the classic ring name Gorilla Monsoon was a fixture in the pro wrestling world for four decades, passed away officially at about 6:15 a.m. on 10/6 at his home in Mooresville, NJ at the age of 62.

Marella had been in poor health and nearly passed away more than one year ago but made a strong recovery. His condition took a turn for the worst after a mild heart attack on 9/19 causing complications from diabetes to worsen. Those close to him noted that he went out like a man’s man, in that he would have been able to stay alive being constantly hooked up to a pacemaker to regulate his heartbeat and on kidney dialysis, but, rather than have to live out his life being unable to leave the house, as a “house vegetable” as he termed it, he made the call that it was time to “check out” about ten days before his death. He took himself off the dialysis and died a slow death. He came home on the afternoon of 10/5 largely to die in peace after being hospitalized in Philadelphia.

Marella’s career in pro wrestling, which began in 1959 after being a three-sport star in college and an Olympic hopeful in wrestling, took on many forms.

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