Gino Marchetti, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and rugged former Baltimore Colts defensive end, has passed away at the age of 93. Although a cause of death has not been specified, the legendary pass rusher was with his wife of 41 years when he died at Paoli Hospital in Paoli, Pennsylvania on Tuesday. 'I kissed him and he knew me and smiled,' Joan Marchetti told the Baltimore Sun. 'That was Gino's way of saying goodbye.' The 6foot4 Gino Marchetti was named to 11 Pro Bowls and helped guide the Colts to back-to-back titles in 1958 and 1959. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972 Marchetti (second from left) pictured with former teammates Jim Mutscheller (far left), Lenny Moore (center left) and Raymond Berry (second from the right) as well as former New York Giants Frank Gifford (center right) and Pat Summerall in 2008 Born the son of an immigrant coal miner in Kayford, West Virginia in 1927, Marchetti grew up in the depression, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and even fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a machine gunner. As he would later explain, Marchetti learned 'discipline' and found his 'direction' in the Army. 'After going through combat and all that, the first thing I did when I got home is I went to church,' he told ESPN in 2009. 'I really started to live a different life. I wasn't as wild. I was so happy to be home, and felt so good about what I had done. A lot of guys had done it. It made me feel proud, and that stayed with me. It still stays with me.' The Army also provided Marchetti with a future, thanks to the GI Bill. Upon returning to the United States from Germany, Marchetti attended the University of San Francisco with tuition provided from the landmark legislation. Coach Don Shula and defensive lineman Gino Marchetti #89 of the Baltimore Colts stand on the sidelines during a game on October 18, 1964 against the Green Bay Packers Jim Taylor (No. 31) of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball as Gino Marchetti (No. 89) tries to run him down during a game on October 18, 1964 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore He played both offense and defense for the Dons before being drafted by the New York Yanks in the 1952 NFL Draft. The franchise moved to Dallas and later Baltimore, where it became known as the Colts and one of the league's premiere teams. It was in Baltimore that coach Weeb Ewbank permanently moved Marchetti to the defensive side of the ball, where he became a terror for opposing quarterbacks alongside linemate Art Donovan. Sacks were not recorded when Marchetti played, so it's not known where he ranks with other famous pass rushers like Michael Strahan or Reggie White, or even his contemporaries like Deacon Jones. However, the 6foot4, 244-pound Marchetti was named to 11 Pro Bowls and helped guide the Colts to back-to-back titles in 1958 and 1959. '[Marchetti] knocked down blockers like they were rag dolls,' San Francisco lineman Leo Nomellini once said. 'He had the look of death in his eyes on the field.' Art Donovan (left), Leo Nomellini (center), and Gino Marchetti (right) won two Super Bowls as teammates with the Baltimore Colts in 1958 and 1959 Quarterback Ed Brown #15 (left) of the Chicago Bears throws a pass as defensive linemen Gino Marchetti #89 and Art Donovan #70 of the Baltimore Colts arrive too late to stop the pass during a game on October 15, 1961 at Wrigley Field in Chicago Marchetti retired after the 1966 season, by which time he and longtime teammate Alan Ameche had already opened a fast food restaurant that would go on to become Gino's Hamburgers. That chain ultimately included 313 locations before the company was sold and later merged into the Roy Rogers chain. While the Colts moved on to Indianapolis, the Baltimore Ravens later inducted him into their ring of honor. The team released a statement on Tuesday. 'A giant of a man with a giant heart who helped many in need,' the statement began, 'Gino Marchetti is at or near the top of the greats in Baltimore athletic and football history. Beloved in Baltimore, this Pro Football Hall of Famer loved our community and the fans who were so special to him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Joan, and the Marchetti family. We appreciate the kindness and respect Gino showed the Ravens over the last 23 years.' Colts owner Jim Irsay also released a statement: 'Rest in peace, Gino Marchetti. The son of immigrants - and a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge against the Nazis -Marchetti was one of the greatest to play the game, Gino was a player who helped turn the nation's attention toward the "new sport" on television.' All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility