Fr. Mario (Thomas Anthony) Marzocchi, SSS

Fr. Mario, 84, was born on October 29, 1935, to Edward and Rafaella (née Guarvilia) Marzocchi in Brooklyn, NY. He is the brother of Carl (Elizabeth) Marzocchi. He entered religious life and the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, professing vows on September 8, 1961, in Barre, MA. He studied philosophy at Eymard College (1958), earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, NY (1981) and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Maryknoll School of Theology (1984). After serving as a religious brother for many years, he discerned a call to the ordained ministry and was ordained a priest on June 23, 1984, at Saint Jean Baptiste Church, New York City.

He held many positions over the years, reflecting his considerable gifts. He was a talented artist, who rarely found time to paint as his ministerial commitments grew. He served as the Director of the Blessed Sacrament Brothers Formation Program (1968-1971), an Emergency Room Attendant (1969-1970), with the Congregation’s House of Studies (1973-1974), a High School Teacher at Saint Jean Baptiste High School, New York City 1974-1984), Archdiocesan Director of Catechetics (New York, 1982-1984), Parochial Vicar at Saint Jean Baptiste Church (1984-1987 and 1999-2001) and Saint Vincent de Paul Church, Holiday, FL (2004-2008), and Pastor of Saint Andrew Church, New York City (1987-1993), Saint Paschal Baylon Church, Highland Heights, OH (1993-1999), Saint Jean Baptiste Church, New York City (2001-2002), and Saint Joseph Church Downtown, San Antonio, TX (2008-2019). During his “retirement” in the Diocese of Cleveland, he ministered at several parishes and convents.

Fr. Mario died on June 26, after a short battle with cancer. He was so grateful for all the love, care and support of hospital, hospice and other health care workers, especially at Regina Health Center. He will be missed for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, his strong catechetical mind, his passion for shrine-center ministry, his kindness, and the reminder that “God loves you.”

Please contribute to his honor by supporting the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, OH 44143.

Visitation and services will begin Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at 2:00 PM, Saint Paschal Baylon Church, Highland Heights, OH where Fr Mario was the 6th pastor. MASKS & PHYSICAL DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED and there is a limit of 300 for the services. For the Order of Christian Funerals the following will be celebrated in church: Evening Prayer 4:00 PM, Vigil for the Deceased 7:00 – 8:30 PM, with personal reflections and memories shared about Fr. Mario during this service. The Funeral Mass is Thursday, July 2, 10:30 AM and will be live streamed on Facebook. For the link, go to www.church.saintpaschal.com. The Mass will be saved to our YouTube page for later viewing. The Rite of Committal will be private. Online condolences www.diciccoandsonsfh.com