Mario Ronghi
Age - 92
November 29, 2023
A love story. To capture an entire life filled with family, friends, accomplishments, milestones, joy, happiness, tears, and laughter in words is impossible, especially when it's Mario. Mario passed away Saturday (11/25) evening, at the age of 92, in the arms of his wife, and soulmate of 69 years, Filomena 'Mena'. He left us exactly as he lived his life on his terms, in his way. Even at his weakest, he is the strongest man we have ever known. While raising his family, he never turned away a friend, or even a stranger in need. Whether it was sponsoring over a dozen families immigrating from Italy and getting them established with a roof and a job, putting on Christmas parties and ballroom dances for friends, putting people together who could help each other, or doing anything to better the lives of family, friends, and strangers he was the first to step up and the last to leave, even when it meant himself going without.
Mario was born in Naples, Italy one of eight children of Vincenzo & Giuseppina (Sgueglia). Growing up as a child in Naples, he experienced WWII first-hand. As a 13-year-old, he was involved in the resistance (boys of Naples) fighting to protect Naples and his homeland. He came to America in 1954. He met his life's flame, Mena, when she was delivering a dress to her aunt's friend in the neighborhoods of Naples. She heard someone singing and asked who is singing. Mena was introduced to Mario (while he was on a ladder painting the house), and the flame was ignited. Mena left, with her parents to the U. S. in January (1954) and Mario followed her overseas 10 months later. Unable to get a Visa to come to the U. S. , he signed onto a Merchant Marine vessel as a cook that was heading to New York. Once in N. Y. harbor he "jumped ship", boarded a train to Springfield, hailed a cab to her house and knocked on her door, all without speaking a word of English. Married two months later in December, Mario set out to start his own family. During the first years of marriage, he stepped up, took in and raised Mena's four Cellini brothers (age 9, 13, 15, 17) when their parents died at an early age, all while raising five children of his own. His dedication, commitment and devotion to family was one of the pillars of his foundation. The other was an intense work ethic. If you do anything, you commit total effort and do it the very best you can.
While in Italy, Mario worked as an electrician, and an artisan (carved little sailboats and other items from tortoise shells, as well as cameos from sea shells,); and dove from the cliffs of the Amalfi coast to retrieve coins thrown by tourists to make ends meet. After arriving in the U. S. , he held various jobs, learning to speak, read & write English. He used those experiences to land a job as a toolmaker and learned to read blueprints. He became one of the most accomplished and highly sought after toolmakers in the region. A consummate problem solver and perfectionist, he became proficient on every single machine in a machine shop. From lathes, polishers, Bridgeports, surface grinders, jig borers/grinders, and more, he made those machines do things that were unrivaled by other machinists. He would literally invent processes that didn't exist to accomplish some of the most difficult and challenging projects.
Mario received a personal commendation from the US Dept. of the Army for his work on the Apache helicopter automatic cannons. He successfully solved and fabricated the prototype that companies, engineers, and machinists across the U. S. unsuccessfully attempted for more than 5 years prior. He also invented and held a patent for a water distillation process that was envied and sought after by 3M and Monsanto during the early 90's. He was instrumental in the initial prototypes for the first plastic cola bottles using the family oven back in the mid-70s. Although he retired, he remained active and involved anywhere and everywhere there was a need or void to be filled. Over the years Mario, with his bride Mena at his side, started a ballroom dance group and had seniors dancing the nights away at senior centers in Agawam, West Springfield, Westfield, East Longmeadow, and Enfield to name a few. He helped raise funds for these centers as well, so much so that he "danced his way into their hearts" as one center director said.
Mario leaves his sweet loving bride, of 69 years, Mena (Cellini), his sons Vincenzo-Vinny (Gail Piela) and Mario Jr. (Millie Fields), his brother-in law/son Mario Cellini, his daughters Anna Symington (Alan), Cathy Bergstrom (Bruce), & Donna Reno (Bill), his grandchildren Melissa Cross (Robert), Monica Donnelly (Jay), Maria Vickers (Mike), Miranda McCarthy (Blaine), Charlie Rounds, Sam Bergstrom & Emma Bergstrom. He lit up with joy when he was with his great grandchildren Robert & David Cross, Riley & Jayson Donnelly. He was so fortunate to spend time with family from Italy, Danielle Ronghi, Luca & Roberta(Ronghi) Minopoli and their daughters Ludovica & Letizia just this past October. He also leaves his sisters Irma Langone & Lilana Colizzi, and his brother Guido. Mario was pre-deceased by his brothers Pasquale and Ugo, and his sisters Vanda Doldo & Tina Busacci. He leaves many, many nephews, nieces, cousins, and relatives here throughout the U. S. and back in Italy. A special mention of some very close friends he cherished over the last few years, Iris Braica, John & Ruth Reed, Richie & Kathy Mitnick.
Those who spent any time with Mario could expect him pulling pranks, making them laugh, teasing them, sarcastic and sometimes blunt exchanges, and through all of it his smile bursting from the biggest heart that all around him will ever enjoy.
Should you honor the family with a visit to "Mario's Merry Memorial", expect a celebration of life and not a wake. Papa was adamant that a party be thrown, no sorrow or mourning, just smiles, laughs, joy, and fun. Leave your tears at the door and bring your funny stories and memories to share amongst family, old friends and new. The Celebration for Mario will be held on Sunday December 3rd from 1-4PM at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St, Agawam MA. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St. , Springfield, MA 01104 and/or St Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl. , Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolences please visit www. forastiere. com.
A love story about a self-made man and the entire world around him! His "world" is fuller today than all the yesterdays.Show more
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