Mario R. DeStefano

Mario R. DeStefano, 78, formerly of Providence and The Lodge at The Village at Waterman Lake in Greenville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at The Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center after a battle with Throat Cancer. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Mario and Livia ‘Ricci’ DeStefano, and brother of the late John D., James G. and Robert P. DeStefano. He is survived by his brother Joseph V. DeStefano and his wife Betty of Providence and several nieces and nephews.

Mario is an alumnus of Springfield College where he also earned his Master’s Degree. While at Springfield he earned All American in Wrestling where he also was a New England Wrestling Champion in both 1960 and 1962 in his weight class.

Mario began his teaching career at LaSalle Academy in Providence followed by over thirty years as a History teacher, coach and athletic director in the Providence School System. He projected his love of wrestling through his coaching and refereeing in the RI Wrestling Community.

Mario’s love of horses was his greatest source of enjoyment. Since the 1960s he had been involved with thoroughbred racing in the New England area. As an avid horse Owner/Trainer he was well known in RI, at Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park horse communities. He was a past president of the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Visitation and funeral will be held Saturday, 9:00-10:30 a.m. in the PONTARELLI-MARINO Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Augustine Church, 639 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the RI Interscholastic League (RIIL), Rhode Island College Campus, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue – Bldg #6, Providence, RI 02908 or Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.