Mario Piero Pellegrini

June 15, 1932-July 2, 2022

Mario Piero Pellegrini passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on July 2, 2022 at the age of 90.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Nina Pellegrini; his two sons Mario G. Pellegrini & Dante M. Pellegrini; three grandchildren: Valentino, Dante Marciano, & Ciana, as well as his siblings; Valerie Pellegrini, Robert Pellegrini, & Marilyn Hazel Pellegrini.

Mario led a storied life! Born during the Great Depression, he joined the Air Force right after HS and served honorably during the Korean War. He is a graduate of Weber State University, where he was later awarded the Emeriti Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.

After college, he survived a battle with cancer, which inspired him to create the “Frontiers in Cancer” series for the American Cancer Society. This nationally recognized campaign series were the first television commercials dedicated to cancer risks and the danger of cigarette smoking.

He went on to start his own film company VITA Productions or “LIFE” in Italian. VITA served as a platform for him to produce & direct a long list of award-winning motion pictures, television programs, & network commercials over a career spanning over half a century.

He worked with such stars as Elizabeth Taylor, Lack Lemmon, Sylvester Stallone, Gregory Peck, Dean Jones, Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, Gloria Estefan, Walter Cronkite, & Loretta Lynn to name a few.

In 1974, he created the NFL/United Way “Great Moments” series. He led the partnership for almost 30 years. He wrote & directed more than 1000 commercials for the National Football League series as well as commercials for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, NFL Charities, corporate clients & national brand campaigns.

Mario was a speechwriter for and directed United States Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, & George Bush, every year, live from the White House.

Mario is a current member of the Director’s Guild of America, a status he held in high regard. During his career, he was also a member of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, The American Film Institute, & The Public Relations Society of America.

Mario was a master storyteller. He loved poetry & would often recite poems for hours at a time. He was tough & strong but sweet & loving to those closest to him. He was also a dedicated husband, father, & Papa who will be greatly missed. He found his faith in his 80th year of life. May he rest in the grace & glory of Heaven.

A “Celebration of Life” took place in Mario and Nina’s home, hosted by his family, on Sunday, July 10th. A Internment service will take place Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 10 am in Miami, FL at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Park North Cemetery, in the direction of Caballero Rivero Little Havana Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riverofuneralhomemiami.com for the PELLEGRINI family.