Mario A. Tucciarone

Born on November 3, 1924, in Brooklyn, he was the seventh and youngest child of Pasqualina and Giovanni Tucciarone who emigrated to the United States from the village of Minturno, Italy. He graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn.

Following high school graduation and United States entry into World War II, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served with distinction in North Africa and the Battle of Anzio. He was severely wounded in battle against the Nazi German Army and awarded the Purple Heart.

After returning to New York and recovering from his wounds in a military hospital for more than a year, he took advantage of the GI Bill and became the first member of his family to attend and then graduate from college. He would ultimately receive a degree in engineering from the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and a juris doctor from the St. John’s University School of Law.

On July 16, 1950, he married Filomena “Fanny” Tucciarone neé Mele of New Jersey. They remained married until his death. Together they had three sons named John, Louis and James. With his own hands and know-how, he literally laid the foundation and stacked the bricks on what would become the family home in Flushing where he raised his sons and housed members of his extended family.

After a brief stint with the City of New York, he struck out on his own and with the help of several partners built a sizeable real estate portfolio across Brooklyn and Queens. At a time when many men of comparable ambition, grit and business savvy began fleeing New York in droves he continued purchasing, rehabilitating and managing properties that provided safe and comfortable homes for countless individuals and families throughout the decades since.

In addition to his distinguished business career, Mario was a committed philanthropist who supported numerous organizations including Catholic Charities of Brooklyn & Queens, Gift of Life Inc. and the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. His commitment to education was also reflected in his charitable giving, with generous support for various institutions including Regis High School, Archbishop Molloy High School and his alma maters Brooklyn Polytechnic and St. John’s University.

He was a man who continued showing up for work in his office on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn and playing golf until his early 90s. Yet he always made time for his extended family and many friends. He valued hard work, tenacity and kindness. In his final years he met the burdens of the loss of his youngest son to cancer, his own declining health and even a bout of COVID-19 with dignity and aplomb.

He is survived by his wife Fanny, his sons John and Louis, his daughters-in-law Helen and Debbie, his grandchildren Alexander, David, Laura, Mathew and Gabriella, granddaughters-in-law Claire and Katharine and great-grandchildren Leo and Emmeline. He was preceded in death by his son James.

Those fortunate enough to have known or even briefly encountered him were, to a person, bowled over by his love of others and the unpretentious bigness of his spirit.

In Lieu of Flowers, Donations in Mario's Memory to Ronald Mc Donald House or a Charity of your choice, would be appreciated.