September 17, 1966 - September 10, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful brother and son Mario Pirrotta. He passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday September 10th, 2019 at the age of 52 at the Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton Ontario after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Mario is survived by his cherished children Dylan, Michael and Amanda (Nico); adored son of Antonio and Pina; loving brother to Rocco, Antonino (Anna), Paul, Joe (Karen), Tina (Mike) Schmidt and Angela (Joe) Lagana; caring Uncle to Kristine (Ryan) Faunt, Mathew (Andrea), Tony, Lindsay (Mark) Perestrelo, Joseph, Christina (Andrew) Lagana, Kaylie (Nick), Josie, Mario (Brianna) Lagana, Paolo, Antonio, Melissa Lagana, Logan, Angela and Dominic Schmidt; very proud Great Uncle to Ava Hili, Matteo, Alexander and Daniel Perestrelo. Mario will be greatly missed by the many extended family members and dear friends as well as by Tessa (family dog).
Family and friends gathered at Bay Gardens Funeral home for a memorial visitation, followed by a Funeral mass that was held at St. Catherine of Siena, Corpus Christi site in Hamilton Ontario on Saturday September 14th, 2019.
Mario was born in Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Italy on September 17th, 1966. At the age of two Mario came to Canada with his Mother and four older brothers to reunite with their Father who had found work in Kitimat BC. His two younger sisters were later born in Kitimat in1969 and 1970. Growing up the youngest of the five brothers gave Mario the feeling of protection which made him have no fear of the world. Mario was a free spirit who lived in the moment, living life to it's fullest. Mario was well known as someone who always wanted to have a good time and enjoyed each day he spent behind the wheel cruising. He touched the hearts of many with his contagious laugh and his joking nature. One of Mario's passions was for the outdoors and he loved to fish and go mushroom picking with our family. One of Mario's many attributes was his sense of direction when out mushroom picking, he was a "master of the bush". We didn't need a
compass and we never got lost when he was around. Mario spent his childhood with his brothers playing soccer, street hockey, baseball and tennis. The only time spent indoors was to eat and sleep. He was a great fisherman who started to fish with our Father at a very young age. Mario moved to Vancouver in the early 80's and then onto Toronto in the late 80's. He loved the Greater Toronto area but became home sick and moved back home and this is when he began working for Alcan. Shortly after this is when he met the mother of his beautiful three children. He was a kind and gentle Father and had great pride in his children and their accomplishments. Mario was very proud of the family he had.
Later in life Mario began painting and this became a passion he enjoyed. He spent years painting for family and friends and was known for his steady hands and excellent work.
The Pirrotta, Lagana and Schmidt families would like to express their appreciation to everyone from near and far for all of their prayers, messages, cards and kindness that has been shown to them during this most difficult time. A special thank you to the Nurses, Oncology Doctor's, Palliative Care team and staff at the Juravinski Cancer Hospital in Hamilton Ontario.
Mario's spirit will never die, he was a great man who taught us love, kindness, happiness and strength. During his last few months around the family he would say "I'm not giving up". Mario fought the toughest fight ever until the end and is now in peace in the arms of the Lord. We will forever cherish the memories we have of him.