George Marmion Dies; Owner of L.B. Novelty Store

George E. Marmion, operator of one of this city’s oldest businesses, died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack the week before. Marmion was 74.

Owner with his wife, Ruth, and son, Robert, of the Marmion Co. downtown, he was well known by local residents for the freshly roasted peanuts and other novelty items sold in his store.

The shop, purchased by Marmion’s grandfather, William H. Marmion, in 1907, is believed to be one of the oldest continuous businesses in the city, although downtown redevelopment plans had recently put its future in doubt.

“It makes your heart sink,” Marmion told The Times in an interview last year regarding the future of his shop. “We’ve got so many friends here who know where we are.”

Marmion, who was buried Saturday at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach, is survived by his wife and three grown sons.