Early life
Marnell was born in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia and grew up in both Australia andSweden, I moved to Sweden in '96. My dad is Swedish, he moved over there from Australia, lived there for 6 months and after 6 months he asked me if I wanted to come out there and live there for a bit. It was only supposed to be a year but it ended up being 7. I ended up staying there for a while, did some school, did some skating, and tried the Swedish food. It was good.Marnell also discussed the Swedish climate in relation to Australia:
Sweden has long winters, but their short summers are amazing. Australia is easy living, but so far away from everything ... It's pretty hard for anyone to deal with long cold winters, but being a skateboarder and dealing with it is way harder. I used to play a lot of video games and skate the local indoor park. But you get bored of skating the same old park every day for like nine months. I tried snowboarding a couple of time; it was pretty fun. My homie's dad owned a house in the hills and I would get to go kick it there sometimes and snowboard.
Professional skateboarding
Marnell was initially sponsored by Menace Skateboards and Axion Footwear, before signing with Nike SB, Volcom and Almost. Prior to his promotion into the professional ranks of global skateboarding with the Almost company, Marnell was featured on the inaugural cover of the publication ''Pop Magazine''. Marnell was featured in the Volcom videos ''Chichagof'', a part that he shared with Dollin, and ''Let's Live''. Marnell was also a resident at a Volcom-owned house that was located inYou get treated like a professional athlete with Nike. And that's a good thing. Its weird cos I'm just a skateboarder….but I guess we are athletes in one way or another. The fact also that they are a massive company allows them to give us a lot more support than most others. Things are always sorted and there are very little hiccups when we're on the road or at events.Marnell was featured in a promotional Internet clip for the re-engineered Nike SB 'Dunk' shoe, a model that he favoured and frequently wore in skateboard video footage. A print advertisement for the re-engineered model was also released and featured Marnell performing a trick at the
Sponsors
At the time of his death in January 2013, Marnell was sponsored by Almost, Thunder, Spitfire, Nike SB, Modus and The Cream.Post-death
Lewis Marnell family memorial fund
In late April 2013, a public announcement revealed the problematic financial situation that remains following the death of Marnell. The news emerged together with a fundraising initiative for the "Lewis Marnell family memorial fund" that involved the musicianJDRF fundraiser
A January 2015 tribute to Marnell, organised by the Berrics, Nike SB and Almost, was used as a fundraiser for JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). The event was held at the Berrics skateboarding facility in California, and was attended by Marnell's family, fellow skateboarders and his Almost teammates. In addition to a silent auction, a limited-edition "Lewis Marnell memorial" skateboard deck, signed by Song, Haslam, Mullen and Youness Amrani, was produced to raise funds for the event, with only 100 made available—the artwork on the deck was designed by Marnell's brother, Jonas Marnell.Awards
Marnell received the 2008 "Skater of the Year" award from Australian skateboarding magazine ''SLAM''. The magazine's readers also successfully voted for Marnell's ''5-Incher'' part for the 2013 'SLAM Video Part of the Year' award.Influence
Personal life
In a 2011 video interview, Marnell identified Guy Mariano as his favourite skateboarder.Others
Luke Croker, a skateboarder who is sponsored by Krooked—a skateboard brand founded/owned by skateboarding pioneerPersonal life
Family
As of February 2013, Jan Marnell is involved in three ventures in the television/film industry: the ''HAMILTON'' trilogy at Pampas Produktion AB, Creative Director of Content Group Africa (CGA), and a freelance producer and consultant under the title "Long Rock". Jan Marnell is a Swedish citizen who also holds an Australian Permanent Residency Visa and studied at Melbourne, Australia'sDiabetes
In a 2008 interview with British online magazine ''Caught in the Crossfire'', Marnell explained the relationship between alcohol use and his diabetes:That's my no no. I had to cut the alcohol out of my diet. I'm diabetic y'see. One of my best mates Dustin Dollin called me one night and was like "Hey Lewis, you should come out, meet us for some drinks and we'll party". Met up with him in the city at this place called Pony Bar in Melbourne, little place where everybody knows each other. I went there hung out, not long at all. Maybe like 4 hours. I had maybe 6 beers, didn't really get drunk, went home and woke up in the morning. Went to have a sip of water and as soon as I swallowed it, I just started throwing up! Anytime I tried to eat or drink I would just throw up. I did that for 2 days and then went to the doctor who sent me to the emergency room. That's when I had to quit drinking because I nearly died.Marnell explained in a 2010 interview with
Marriage
Marnell met his longtime partner Nami in New York, US in 2005 and the latter's mother described the event as "two souls colliding". Marnell proceeded to study the Rastafari movement while he lived in New York with Nami. After receiving a student grant, Nami later relocated to Melbourne, Australia and the couple then lived in accordance with Rastafari principles. Marnell married Nami in Melbourne, Australia in late 2012. Marnell published photos from the wedding on his Instagram profile and a selection of these pictures appeared on Marnell's Facebook fan page following his death in January 2013. Rodriguez spoke of Nami in an April 2013 interview: "... she came in and found him. I feel for her because it must have been the most crushing moment of her life arnell's death"Death
An official announcement on 20 January 2013 revealed that Marnell had died in the 48 hours prior to the announcement—details of the death were not provided. A statement from Marnell's mother Janet Marnell-Brown was then published by European skateboard magazine ''Sidewalk'':FYI and to clear up any quandries icrelating to Lewis' sad & untimely passing, he had a massive hypoglycemic reaction which did not respond to ingested glucose. He was at home and was discovered by his wife around 6.30 on Friday night Melb time. It was not possible to resuscitate him and we are all still trying to come to terms with this tragedy. We ask everybody to send out thoughts and prayers of love and comfort. Please keep his memory alive and let this not be a terrible waste.Marnell had released Almost and Nike video parts in the 18 months prior to his death: ''5-Incher'' and ''The SB Chronicles – Vol. 1'', respectively. Eight months prior to his death, Marnell also appeared in the ''Transworld Skateboarding'' video ''The Cinematographer's Project'' as part of Middlebrook's Australian montage section, alongside skateboarders such as Jake Duncombe, Nick Boserio and Matt Mumford. Song stated on his Instagram profile: "@lewismarnell you are a true inspiration brotha and will be missed thank u for showing the world your amazing gifts, and thank u for being such a positive,kind and giving friend to all! RIP". Song then published another photograph on 21 January 2013 with the following caption: "Shot this a while back!! reminded me of #lewismarnell 🙏 !! freedom is a gift and love and respect for each other makes for a better world !! #sorryboutpreaching". Marnell's other teammates Cooper Wilt and Haslam also posted tributes on their respective Instagram profiles; Wilt wrote:
Today was rough one... Woke up to the news that Lewis Marnell had passed away. A great friend and teammate for the last 6 and a half years. Things just won't be the same without him — he's gone too soon but I'm glad to know that he made the most of his life! He travelled nonstop, met and married a great girl, and got to skateboard for a living — all with a huge smile on his face. Gonna miss him and remember him always, a true legend — Lewis Marnell!!On 20 January 2013, Haslam posted a photo of Marnell seated on a purpose-built bicycle that Marnell had constructed, whereby a set of speakers is situated on a platform at the front of the bicycle. Luis Cruz, Almost's brand manager, posted the following tribute on the Almost Skateboards Instagram profile: "We are privileged to have had Lewis Marnell part of the Almost family. He will be loved and remembered for ever. RIP brother… you will be greatly missed." Fellow Nike team riders Rodriguez and O'neill published tributes on the Internet. The Nike Skateboarding website featured a large photo of Marnell on its homepage and published the following tribute:
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we are to inform you of the passing of our longtime professional rider friend, Lewis Marnell. A skater whose incredible trademark pop could only be matched by the warmth of his smile, Lewis was an amazing person both on and off his board and will be truly missed. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Rest In Peace.Marnell's death occurred during the production of the second volume of the ''SB Chronicles'' video series and he had not yet released a signature model shoe with the brand. All four of the major skateboarding media outlets in the US—''Transworld Skateboarding'', ''The Skateboard Mag'', ''Skateboarder'' and '' Thrasher''—published specific tributes for Marnell. The tribute from ''Thrasher'' magazine, published on 19 January 2013, stated:
As skateboarders we bond together as one true global family. When one of us passes, we all feel the pain. Anyone will tell you that Lewis Marnell was a great person, both on and off his board. We miss him way too much already, but we won't forget.In 2012 Marnell filmed a "Firing Line" segment for ''Thrasher'' at the Melbourne Museum while wearing an Australian Aboriginal flag T-shirt. The editor of ''Skateboarder'' magazine Jaime Owens published a photo tribute to Marnell on 23 January 2013 that was accompanied by a written passage—the final section read:
He made us listen toOwens initially posted a "rest in peace" message on the magazine's website on 19 January 2013: "Details are still coming in but our thoughts icand prayers go out to Lewis' family and friends. We will miss you brother. R.I.P." The Berrics website, co-owned by professional skateboarders Steve Berra andreggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its Jamaican diaspora, diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay", was the first ...constantly in the van while he was riding shotgun and I hate reggae but it was alright because Lewis ruled. He was a genuine and very humble guy that I felt immediately close to, like we had been friends for a long time. I still can't believe that Lewis is gone. My thoughts go out to all of friends, families and fans around the world. You will be missed brother. R.I.P. Lewis Marnell 1982–2013.
He didn't come very often, but when he did, we were always in such awe how a guy so nice and so good skated to the beat of his own drum without feeling the pressure of having to skate to everyone else's. Usually, a guy with the kind of talent Lewis had would have a style and look that you've all seen before, the fact that he didn't is what made him even more special. In honour of him, we're taking today to post those times where he blessed the Berrics with his original style and one of a kind presence. He will be missed dearly by his friends, his family, and the entire world of skateboarding. – sbMarnell filmed a "Trickipedia Tuesdays" segment for the Berrics, in which he performs a "nollie bigspin heelflip", a "Mini Bangin!" as well as an edition of "Text Yoself Beefo Yo Wreck Yoself" with professional skateboarder Darrell Stanton. On 24 January 2013, skateboard videographer Fred Mortagne—responsible for Flip Skateboards' ''Sorry'' video and most of the videos of the Cliche skateboard company—published a video on his YouTube channel that featured Marnell and Dollin in Melbourne, Australia, as they filmed and skateboarded with a touring Cliche team in 2003. Mortagne wrote an accompanying
Then we came to Melbourne in 2003 with the Cliché team to film for ''Bon Appétit'', and him and Dustin Dollin took really good care of us, bringing us to their super good spots.Two video compilations were also published on the Internet in memory of Marnell, one of which was produced by skateboard videographer Manolo—Manolo used reggae music, the favoured musical style of Marnell, for the compilation's soundtrack (Toots & The Maytals' "Pressure Drop" and Jimmy Radway & The Fe Me Time All Stars' "Wicked Have To Feel It"). Skateboarding Australia (SbA), the government-funded peak body for skateboarding in Australia, published a tribute on its website. Campbell, who is also SbA's online manager, wrote:Lucas Lucas or LUCAS may refer to: People * Lucas (surname) * Lucas (given name) Arts and entertainment * Luca Family Singers, or the Lucas, a 19th-century African-American singing group * Lucas, a 1960s Swedish pop group formed by Janne Lucas Perss ...uigand Lewis clicked together pretty good. There was a bunch of tricks Lucas wanted to do, but Dustin was always "no Lewis already did it on that spot!".
An extremely gifted, generous-souled human left us over the weekend. The skateboarding world bows its collective head in disbelief that Lewis Marnell has passed away. Lewis was a global citizen who had friends and navigated adventures on every portion of the planet. We will miss you Lewis. You will continue to inspire for generations to come. Wishing all the strength to his friends and family during this devastating time.Numerous Facebook fan pages that feature artwork and written tributes were created for Marnell after his death, and a mural was painted at a skatepark in Australia. As of 25 January 2013, an additional two murals were completed in Melbourne as tributes to the late skateboarder—Jonas Marnell painted both murals in the suburb of Fitzroy; also, both murals were painted with aerosol paint on roller doors. The first mural is a reproduction of Marnell's first professional skateboard graphic with Almost, while the second mural depicts an image of Marnell's head in Rastafarian colours, with an encircled "RIP LEWIS" written underneath. Skateboard videographer Jason Hernandez compiled a film tribute for the 15th Transworld Skateboarding Awards event that was held in Hollywood, California, US. The video is entitled ''One Love'' and Hernandez published a written accompaniment:
We lost a skateboarder, a friend, and most of all a truly good person. Lewis lived his life with Diabetes, the kind were you'd need to check your blood for its insulin levels and give your self a shot sometimes twice a day. Oh he'd let you know every day he had diabetes, he'd ask before every spot, "Oi – how far is the nearest store, Oi – I need to eat, Oi – how long are we gonna be here? I need food" I look back at this and smile, at the time I'd be like, "c-mon really…?" He was really good at misplacing his insulin pen, I helped him find it quite a few times, and remember how psyched he'd be to find it under his mess of shopping bags he'd bring on every session, OHHHH the shopping bags – they'd be rustling around making all sorts of noise in the car, hotel room; he'd have all his gummy worms, sour patch kids, all sorts of sugary foods to keep his levels were they needed to be. Lewis was legitimately a good person, he cared about what was going on in your life, he'd stop to talk with anyone, I mean anyone… A bum, the random lurker you don't want to talk to at the spot, anyone… We'd always be waiting on him cause he met some new friend at the skate spot/or wherever we stopped the car. I miss you Lewis I hate to say I truly took you for granted and am sorry for every time I made you eat Subway cause I couldn't figure out your diet, I wish I could tell you all this in person… but I can't. So next time I will try and let the people I see daily know that I appreciate them, and stop to talk with them just a little longer. R.I.P Lewis. Love you bud.In his ''Skateboarder'' magazine tribute from the April/May 2013 issue, Craig concluded by stating: "He was a great man, husband, son, brother, uncle, mentor, friend, and skateboarder. We are all better for having him in our lives and his spirit will be with us forever." A reggae
Funeral
The memorial event for Marnell was held at the St Kilda Town Hall in St Kilda, a bayside suburb of Melbourne, Australia that is also the location of Janet Marnell-Brown's home—the funeral was attended by more than 100 skateboarders and was held on 5 February 2013. The mobile sound system that was built by Marnell was ridden by a friend, while the skateboarders who were present lifted their skateboards as a form of tribute. Marnell is survived by his wife and family.Videography
*Volcom: ''Chichagof'' (2004) *Digital: ''Divercity'' (2005) *''Streets: Melbourne'' (2005) *''Autopilot'' (2006) *Almost: ''Cheese and Crackers'' (2006) *Nike SB: ''Nothing But The Truth'' (2007) *Volcom: ''Let's Live'' (2007) *Nike SB: ''Don't Fear The Sweeper'' (2010) *Nike SB: ''The SB Chronicles Vol. 01'' (2011) *Almost: ''5-incher'' (2012)References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marnell, Lewis 1982 births 2013 deaths Australian skateboarders People with type 1 diabetes