Mario Giuseppe Nucci

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mario Giuseppe Nucci at the T.B.R.H.S.C. in the early morning of Thursday, November 5, 2015 with his loving family by his side. 

Mario was born September 12, 1929 in Malito, Cosenza, Italy. Mario’s family meant everything to him and all the hard work he did during his lifetime was dedicated to providing for them. 

This work ethic that he carried throughout his entire life was instilled in him as a young man when at the age of 19 he, as the only son, worked in the mines in Belgium in order to provide for his parents and sisters.  He married Lisetta Funari the love of his life on November 11, 1951.

He immigrated to Canada in January 1952. 11 months later Mario and Lisetta were reunited in Matson, Ontario where he was working in the mine.  In 1956 he settled in Port Arthur and immediately thereafter became a member of the Italian Society of Port Arthur, serving as president from 1982 to 1984.

A dedicated member of his community, he was involved with various organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the Da Vinci Centre, and the Moose Hall. Mario was an ambitious, hard-working businessman.  He held various jobs including bartending at the Shoreline hotel before buying Bennett's Bakery with his cousins Vince and Ralph Mauro in 1961. 

Mario took great pleasure in his hunting and fishing expeditions with dear friends where along with the activity, he enjoyed the opportunity to share a glass of wine, good food and great stories.  Mario, along with his sons Sandy, Joe and Danny was the owner of Bennett's Bakery, the Persian Man, and Nucci's Bake-A-Deli and is known for helping make Persians a local favourite. 

Mario loved children.  So many people have fond memories of the Persian and pastry treats he gave them as kids, of his hosting of the neighbourhood kids hockey games in his backyard rink on Crown Street and of his organizing and providing transportation for the neighbourhood soccer games at Hillcrest Park.  

He was also involved with the Port Arthur Nationals Baseball Association where he coached for many years. 

He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife Lisetta Nucci, sons Sandy (Mary), Joe (Elizabeth) and Danny (Kathy), grandchildren: Justin, Myles, Spencer, Cassandra, Mario, Daniel, Elizabeth, Nicholas and Madison, sisters Maria Diletto and Rosetta Spina, in-laws  Rosario Cassano, Guido Spina, Mario Funari, Sara DeCicco, Roberto Gagliardi, Giovanni and Giga Funari, Franca and Giuseppe Giangrosso, cousins Ralph (Rita) Mauro, Ettore (Teresina) Izzo and Valentino Buffone as well as by  many nieces, nephews and other relatives. 

He was predeceased by his parents Santo and Maria Luisa Nucci, his sisters Emma Cassano and Ida Spina, cousins Joe Nucci, Flora Bombini, Vince (Rose) Mauro, Irma Buffone, Ettore Milinazzo, his in laws Genaro Spina, Rosa Gagliardi, Angelino Diletto, Anna Funari, Gerardo DeCicco, Filippo Funari, Onorina Funari, and Piera Funari. 

Funeral services for the late Mario Nucci will be held Monday, November 9, 2015 when family and friends will gather in St. Anthony's R.C. Church on Hilldale Rd. for the Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filippini. 

The interment will follow in Our Lady of Charity Mausoelum, St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday evening from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in St. Anthony's Church where a Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that any in kind donations be given to the T.B.R.H.S. Foundation- Cardiac Care Campaign, Centre for Complex Diabetes or Renal/Hemodialysis Fund .  Arrangements entrusted to the Sargent & Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court Street. 

Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.