Our Loving Father, Mario

Hello Friends,
It is with a heavy heart to tell you our loving father, Mario passed away on June 5th. He was 89 years old and we were getting ready to celebrate his 90th Birthday this October, but sadly he didn't make it. He lost his battle to cancer, he fought the disease bravely for 11 years.

This past April, our parents celebrated 64 years of marriage, a wonderful life together. Our father was a World War II veteran in the Italian Navy, a loving husband, a proud father to 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, and he left a legacy of love and devotion to his family and friends to treasure.

In 1949 he became a Coca-Cola Distributor in Naples and Capri, Italy. He distributed the popular soda throughout Italy and also helped launch and even played a part in the naming Coca-Cola's first orange soda, Fanta.  In 1954 he took his family and immigrated to the US, leaving a fortune behind to be with his parents and siblings who were already in Brooklyn.

Our father was a very charming, loving man who was always impeccably dressed, acted like a gentleman and had a passion for the culture arts: his love for music, sports (mainly soccer), and ballroom dancing were passed onto to us.

He was a very respectful person who had deep rooted values and he gave us valuable lessons in life of which we would like to share with you.

         -Be kind to people.
         -The importance of God and the prayer.
         -The power of love means to be able to forgive others.
         -Take care of the elderly, reminded us to send cards, food or even to call to check on them
         -Always mind your manners and give equal respect to everyone, accept people for the way they are and don't try to change them.
         -Abide by the Law.
         - Keep your children grounded and humble.
         -Taught us the value of money, and to work hard for it to make a life.
         -And to keep family traditions and what it means to be Italian.

Our father's greatest accomplishment was the love he had for his family and friends. He created a close knit family of 40 people and its still growing. He was able to love and spend time with his small great-grandchildren, many of them whom still ask for him and recognize his face in photos. He was truly loved and he loved us back. He we remain in our hearts until the end of time.
This October we will remember him on what would have been his 90th birthday and we will honor him by loving each other and being grateful for the time we had with him. Rest in peace, Dad.

Love always,
your family