Neighbors, community honor ‘Walking Man’ Ricardo Marano with memorial walk, vigil

Nearly 100 neighbors and community members gathered Sunday afternoon outside the Palm Springs condominium complex where Ricardo Marano lived, beginning a quiet, mile-long walk to Ruth Hardy Park in his honor.

The destination — and the journey itself — was intentional. For years, Marano, 56, was a familiar sight on city streets, walking for hours at a time in all weather, often shirtless, sometimes covering more than a marathon of miles in a single day. Known affectionately as “The Walking Man,” he became a fixture of daily life for residents who waved, stopped to chat, or simply felt comforted by his presence.

“He used to walk in the morning, midday, and again in the early evening,” said Hunter, Marano’s next-door neighbor of five years. “He told me sometimes he’d walk over 30 miles. It was amazing.”

Marano was killed in a hit-and-run crash Jan. 18, a loss that rippled far beyond the people who knew him personally. As the group arrived at Ruth Hardy Park, that shared grief — and admiration — came into focus.

At the vigil, neighbor Araceli Ramirez read a letter from Marano’s sister, who lives on the East Coast and was unable to attend. Her words painted a portrait of a man remembered not only for his discipline and routine, but for his warmth and charisma.

“To know him was to realize that he possessed a truly magnetic personality,” she wrote. “He was simply the kind of person who naturally drew people in. He was always kind, he was funny, and he was incredibly generous.”

She recalled childhood memories of dancing to Christmas music by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Autry, and later trips to New York City to see Broadway shows in their 20s. She also smiled at a detail many in Palm Springs recognized immediately.

“I also have to mention his style,” she wrote. “He had a great fashion sense.”

Marano, a hair stylist, built a successful business on his own and stayed closely connected to his family even after moving to California about seven years ago, often exchanging texts, photos and videos.

“I am so sad and heartbroken that he was taken away from us too early,” she wrote. “Life will never be the same without you. I will miss him and love him forever.”

Speaker after speaker echoed that sense of loss — often from people who had never formally met Marano, but felt they knew him anyway.

“One of my friends always said, ‘Every sighting is a blessing,’” one attendee shared.

Kim Altomare, who lived in the same condominium complex, said she regularly pulled over just to talk with Marano.

“He’s the most humble, loving man who did not deserve this,” she said. “I’ve had a hard time sleeping every night since this has happened.”

Others came after seeing the vigil announced on social media by neighbor Gina Garcia. One woman, who never met Marano, said she often saw him walking near the Gene Autry area.

“I used to call him a ‘walking Jesus,’” she said. “I remember once not seeing him for a while and asking my husband if he was OK, because he was always out there.”

She thanked organizers for bringing the community together. “That’s what I love about Palm Springs,” she said. “We show up for each other.”

An Uber driver recalled turning Marano into a personal game of “Where’s Waldo.”

“If you ever looked into Ricardo’s eyes, you could see how beautiful his soul was,” she said. “Just seeing him walk motivated me.”

Those who knew Marano more intimately described a quiet, intentional life. Hunter said Marano was a minimalist who loved plants, naming them and giving away cuttings to neighbors.

“He had very little inside his house — just the basics,” Hunter said. “He had a car, but he wasn’t using it.”

Originally from New Jersey and Florida, Marano found peace in walking, Hunter said. “I think it kept him calm and stable. He loved being here.”

Other neighbors recalled his kindness during difficult moments, from offering comfort after a death in the family to lingering to chat after Spanish-language Mass.

“He was always kind,” one attendee said.

Ramirez noted that Marano’s family remains on the East Coast, but has been deeply moved by the community response.

“They’re so grateful he had such a big family here,” she said. “We were his family.”

After reading from Psalms — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” — Ramirez told the crowd that Marano’s spirit would remain present through the people he touched.

Marano was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene near the 1000 block of East Vista Chino around 3:30 a.m. Jan. 18, according to the Palm Springs Police Department. Police served a search warrant in Thousand Palms two days later and recovered a black 2005 Chevrolet Silverado believed to be involved in the crash. No arrests have been made.

“He’s the most humble, loving man who did not deserve this. I’ve had a hard time sleeping every night since this has happened.”

-Kim Altomare, neighbor

As the vigil drew to a close, the focus slowly shifted from remembrance to resolve. Attendees spoke quietly about pedestrian safety and whether Marano’s death might serve as a turning point for a city shaped by cars, visitors and long, dark roads.

Ramirez said she hopes the tragedy brings renewed attention to speeding and distracted driving in a tourism-heavy community where drivers are often unfamiliar with local streets.

“I’m hoping it changes something,” she said, pointing to ongoing police efforts to enforce traffic laws and educate motorists. She also urged pedestrians to take added precautions.

“Wear reflective gear. Carry a flashlight. Anything that helps you stand out,” she said. “It’s very dark out here.”

For many who gathered Sunday, that hope — that honoring Marano’s life and the way he moved through the city might help protect others who walk its streets — felt like the most meaningful tribute of all.

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