Obituary of Andreas Nicolas Belli Marinos

September 20, 2021

Andreas Nicolas Belli Marinos was fearless - a brilliant, creative gift to all who knew him. His life is being celebrated in many languages and around the world. Andreas was boisterous and filled with life from the moment he came into this world, just four minutes after his big brother Paolo. Together, they shared a special bond that brought exceptional joy and purpose to their family.

As a young child, it was clear that Andreas was wildly creative, unfiltered, hilarious, loving and always on the go. As he grew, he built countless treasured friendships around the city. He was magnetic and honest, and everyone he met was drawn to him. Andreas listened closely, looked you in your eye, and was insatiably curious. He hit his stride at the Lab School for Collaborative Studies, where he attended middle and high school, and the Fashion Institute for Technology where he was a few credits shy of getting his BA in Design and Italian. He was happiest when he had a skateboard and camera in hand, riding with his skateboarding community downtown at Tompkins Square Park. He questioned absolutely everything and always stood up for what he believed to be right. He was a New Yorker through and through. Andreas would call this next part corny, but he loved his city and found beauty on every block. He was a gifted artist and craftsman, constantly refining his work and experimenting with new media - video, photography, graphic design, and fashion. Talented and curious beyond his years, he created SLUGS, a multimedia project which was a love letter to his friends. Andreas lived a meaningful, adventurous, and playfully rebellious life. He was adored by all, especially by his mother Josephine, his father George, his older sister Tania, and his twin Paolo. Knowing his journey, we are put to task to live as fully as he did, to think of him often, and to say *almost* exactly what's on our minds.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following organizations which support causes that are near and dear to Andreas' huge heart:

● Harold Hunter Foundation: A community-based organization that provides support, opportunity, and advocacy for skateboarders in NYC and beyond so they can reach their full potential as skateboarders and as people. Donation link is here: https://www.haroldhunter.org/support.html
● The City Parks Foundation: Makes parks vibrant centers of community through sports, arts, community building, and environmental education programs for New Yorkers across all five boroughs. Andreas especially loved Tompkins Square Park. Donation link is here: https://cityparksfoundation.org/donate/
● Groundswell: Brings together artists, youth, and community organizations to use art as a tool for social change here in New York City. Donation link is here: https://www.groundswell.nyc/about/support

With great love and admiration,
Mom, Dad, Paolo, Tania