Mario Lucciola

Born in Caserta, Italy, son of the late Rocco and Luigia (Verrico) Lucciola, Mario sailed from Naples to New York in 1956, celebrating his nineteenth birthday on board his voyage to America, where he first settled in Fall River with his cherished D'Adamo family. Soon after, he began a memorable career at Harvey Probber, Inc., one of the country’s elite mid-century modern furniture firms, displaying a hard work ethic and creating lasting relationships.

Thirty years later, he embarked on a second life career with the Massachusetts State Lottery, as a valued, respected employee and colleague. In those years, Mario pursued his love of travel and bringing people together by starting “Travel with Mario”. This was Mario's characteristic way of incorporating his desire to gather large groups of family and friends together to enjoy the thrill of international travel to Italy and Europe for over 20 years. For the hundreds of you who traveled with Mario, you know he made every trip uniquely special (as he also did for his famous cookouts). Mario was proud to serve for almost two decades on the Fall River Planning Board and also on the Fall River Conservation Commission and performed other civic duties. He was a communicant of the former Holy Rosary Church.

Mario was the beloved President of the Loggia Vittoria Veneto #1035 Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America for almost 40 years. Mario was so proud of this accomplishment and the tremendous success of this organization throughout Fall River, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and nationally. Mario was a recipient of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America's Golden Lion award, the highest honor a member can receive in the state.

Survivors include his two daughters, Kara Lucciola and Denise Lucciola Mellon, and son-in-law, Scott Mellon. He was predeceased by his beloved brother Gaetano “Guy” Lucciola and sister, Mattia Russo, and former wife Geraldine Toomey Lucciola. He is survived by his former wife, Lorraine Lucciola, and long-time companion, Terry Esposito, and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mario’s family would like to thank his many friends and relatives, including his nurse caretaker, Nancy Vezzina, for all the time, generous ways, and selfless outpouring of support they gave him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his wake on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Waring-Sullivan Cherry Place Funeral Home, 178 Winter Street, Fall River, MA.

Proceedings for a Funeral Mass will commence on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the above mentioned funeral home at 9:00 a.m., followed by a 10:00 a.m. Catholic Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, 1335 North Main Street, Fall River, MA. Reverend Leo Polselli CSC will be the principal celebrant. Subsequent Burial will take place at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River, MA.

In lieu of flowers, Mario’s family kindly asks that donations in his memory be directed to the Fall River Sons and Daughters of Italy Charitable Fund, which supports local services in the South Coast area. Nothing would mean more to Mario than providing food and care for those in need. Mario devoted his life to supporting the Fall River community and will always be remembered for his dedication to his beloved city.

Please make donation checks out to: Loggia Vittoria Veneto #1035 Charitable Fund (note in Memory of Mario Lucciola) Please mail donations to:

Fall River SDOI

c/o Robert Sousa

770 Highview Avenue

Somerset, MA 02726