Mario Mandia Samonte

Mario Mandia Samonte was a friendly face whose smile was contagious to anyone that had the pleasure of being near him. He was a pillar of strength and stability, and sacrificed everything for his family. Mario was always the first to offer a helping hand, never once asking for anything in return. He was a man who took great joy in the simple things of life.

Mario was born on June 7, 1945 in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines to Victorio Sr. and Emeteria Samonte. He was the sixth out of the nine children: Juanito, Renato, Reynaldo Iluminado, Lilia, Oscar, Victorio Jr., and Angelita.

On April 22, 1968 Mario married Adelaida Ramos at Cabanatuan City Hall in the Philippines. They were blessed with four children, Jay Cris, Ellen Grace, Joie Joy, and Myra Rose. Later on they were also blessed with eight grandchildren, Richelle, Rheanne, Ryan, Kevin, Ara, Peter, Cheska, and Josh, and one great grandchild, Ethan George.

Mario learned early the value of responsibility and hard work, and kept this work ethic throughout his life. Although he did not have the opportunity to continue education after elementary school, he put himself out into the world to learn from hands-on experiences. He first worked as a bus driver, then soon after worked in Saudi Arabia for a few years, which allowed him to buy a truck for logging. He always spoke of these early years as a source of great pride for him. It allowed him to provide for his own family as well as providing help to his siblings, their kids, and cousins.

In 2004, Mario and Adelaida moved to Las Vegas to live with their daughter, Ellen Grace and her husband, Richard De Guzman. They decided to make the move to help look after their three grandchildren, Richelle, Rheanne, and Ryan. He quickly developed a weekday routine of dropping off and picking up the kids from school and making sure they had a hot meal to wake up and come home to. On the weekends, Mario and Adelaida enjoyed driving to the California Stateline to buy lottery tickets and shopping at the Outlets. His first job in America was at McDonalds and later worked at the Silverton Casino, where he retired from in 2011.

Mario was a family man, in which he would say included his fur babies, Hershey and Bentot. When Ellen Grace brought home each dog, Hershey was just a wounded Lhasa Apso who was going to be put down, and Bentot was a scared little Pomeranian mix that was just skin and bones. Mario treated them as if they were his apos. He cared for them until they were nursed back to life. It was because of his loving devotion that Hershey lived for five more years and why Bentot grew into a taba aso. He would probably say it’s because he sinubuan them his adobo, sinigang, or tinola. Since his passing, Bentot has been as sad as the rest of us, he can usually be found laying on Lolo’s bed.

Mario passed away on February 5, 2022 at St. Rose Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Adelaida Samonte; sons, Jay Cris and Joie Joy; daughter, Ellen Grace; son-in-law Richard De Guzman; daughters-in-law, Sherylyn Samonte and Ellery Samonte; grandchildren, Richelle, Rheanne, Ryan, Kevin, Ara, Peter, Cheska, and Josh; great grandchild, Ethan George; sisters, Lilia Samonte Roxas and Angelita Samonte Guevarra; and brother, Oscar Samonte.

Mario - “Tatay,” “Tito Boy,” or “Lolo” - was a kind man that had a good heart. He was gracious and selfless and provided everything he could for his family. This is how everyone will remember Mario Mandia Samonte, and he will be deeply missed.