**DUE TO RECENT GUIDELINES, THE VIEWING IS LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE AT A TIME**

FUNERAL MASS AND BURIAL ARE LIMITED TO ONLY 10 FAMILY MEMBERS

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed via the website for St. Thomas More Catholic Church: 

www.stmgaparish.org

Mario Mion, 96, died peacefully grasping his Rosary in his home on early Wednesday morning, May 6, 2020.  He had a small statue of St. Joseph holding Jesus on his left and a small statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at his right.

 The youngest of four sisters and one brother, he began life on a small farm in a town at the base of the Alps in Fanna, Italy.  He and his wife of 45 years pledged their love to each other when Mario was 17 and Pia was 14 years old.  They remained devoted to each other and to their Catholic Faith through all the sufferings and interruptions of World War II.   From 1939 until the end of the war in 1945 Mario miraculously survived Mussolini’s army, the Italian “King’s Army,” the German Army and about ten thousand bombs dropped by the English army on a German airbase where he was working.

Finally, about five years after the war Mario and Pia fulfilled their promise to marry.  Two daughters and a son were born over seven years as Mario worked in Switzerland learning the tile setter mechanic trade, traveling back and forth to Italy to visit his family.  He then immigrated to Canada to work with Pia’s brothers in their tile and construction business.  Along the way he learned French and German and he studied English in night school.

Eventually he came to Atlanta, Georgia where his brother had immigrated ten years earlier.  Mario, Pia and their three children were finally reunited in the mid 1950’s.  After several years, they all became American citizens. 

Mario, Pia and family were long time members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur.  Their children attended St. Thomas More School.  The parent’s dream was that their children would be well educated and that they would grow up to know, love and serve God.

Mario was devastated by the death of his older daughter in her early adulthood and then later by his beloved wife after 45 years of devoted marriage.  His deep Catholic faith nourished his soul while strengthening the Catholic faith of his family during these sad times.

After a hard day’s work, Mario’s passion was gardening, where he enjoyed the beauty of nature. His tomatoes were the envy of the neighborhood which he shared with everyone, and Pia could always pick a nice bouquet of flowers for the table. The family often enjoyed getting together with friends and with the other Italian families that immigrated from their hometown. When possible, they traveled back to Canada and Italy to reunite with family.  Both Pia and Mario died according to their wishes in their Decatur home, surrounded by the love of their family.

Mario is survived by two children Romana and Paul (Stacy), ten grandchildren, Anis (Gabriella) Francesca (Stephen), Adriana, Guiliano, Michele (Meagan), Isabella, Marianna, Francesco, Marcella, Angelo and seven great-grandchildren, Dominic, Luke, Peter, John Paul, Gianna, Alana, and Gianluca.

Mario stated, “My advice to all my grandchildren and great grandchildren, is to stay close to God and His Mother and to be obedient to all the teachings of the Catholic Church.  If you do this, you will be happy here on earth and assure your salvation in Heaven.  Pray for me when I will no longer be here and be assured that I will pray for you.  I will bless you and I will love you forever.”

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Mario’s honor to the pro-life organization, American Life League, by visiting their website at www.all.org or by calling  540-659-4171.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mario Mion, please visit our floral store.