Service Details
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:00 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue in Racine.
Visitation: in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm and in the church on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 am
Racine – Mario Charles Aiello, age 87, passed away peacefully at Ascension All Saints Hospital on Sunday afternoon, April 15, 2018 surrounded with the love of his family.
Mario was born in Racine on June 27, 1930 to the late Ralph and Mary (nee: Mazzie) Aiello. He was a graduate of Washington Park High School, Chicago Association of the Fine Arts, and of the Wisconsin Barber School. On November 26, 1955 in Holy Name Catholic Church, Mario was united in marriage with Janet (nee: Ludwig). To this union, their seven beautiful daughters were born.
Mario owned & operated Mario’s Barber Shop (16th & Center Streets) for over 58 years, retiring in 2012. He also founded Pepi’s Deli in 1983 – a Racine tradition that continues today. Mario was a lifetime member of Saint Lucy Catholic Church, where he was a devoted volunteer in so many ways. He was also a proud member of Roma Lodge and of the Wisconsin Barber Apprenticeship Committee. He was a master woodworker & carver and loved to draw, cook and garden. Above all, his family was the center of his world. Mario & Janet always looked forward to their loved ones gathering at their home on Lathrop Avenue year round – every Sunday at 2 pm.
Surviving are his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Janet; their daughters, Nicala Aiello (Alex Trevino, Jr.), Lisa Torano (Jose), Eva Aiello-Larrabee, Anna Aiello, Theresa Rinehart (Matt), Christa Thompsen (Geoff) and Rosemarie Aiello; 15 adored grandchildren; Janette (Johnny) Torano-Folsom, Tony (Cindy), Jessie (Adrian), Mario, Lucia and Juan Carlos Torano, Daniel and April (Andrew) Larrabee, Matthew Rinehart, Nick (Kayla) and Christopher Thompsen, Madeline and Jack Aiello-Kimberlain, Amanda (Tony) Chaudoir and Amalia (Rolando) Morelos; 21 dear great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Fran Aiello; nieces, nephews, cousins, former customers and friends – too numerous to mention by name.
In addition to his parents, Mario was preceded in death by his sister, Carmella Natale; brothers, Alfred (Eve) Aiello and Edward Aiello; Janet’s parents, Nick and Rose (nee: Scholzen) Ludwig; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Lawrence (Rae) Ludwig, Dr. Richard Ludwig, Rosemary Ludwig, Mary Elizabeth (Joe) Terselic and Barbara Kelly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:00 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Javier Guativa officiating. Entombment will be at the mausoleum of Holy Cross Cemetery – Highway 32. A memorial luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm and in the church on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Cindy and John Pisanello, Ralph Nicotera says
So sorry or your lose. He was a wonderful man. Thoughts and prayers to all!
Bill and Helen says
Anna, and Aiello family, very sorry to hear about Mario’s death. He was a great guy. Bill and Helen Dombrowski
Bill & Laurel Celeste says
A dear friend who will be greatly missed. God has ended the suffering, rest in peace. Take solace in all of wonderful memories he created.
With sincere sympathy.
Jodie Antreassian-Janiuk says
The Aiello family, My heart goes out to all of you. Praying the Lord will comfort you.
Paty y Alejo says
Lisa Jose reciban nuestras sinceras condolencias por la perdida de Don Mario..los acompañamos en este gran dolor y Dios les conceda pronta resignacion..abrazos
Anonymous says
We feeling sorry for.your lost.
Marybeth (Mary) Bach says
Loved this funny lovable man.
Watching you and my dad with some of the gang are some of my finest memories. I’ll
miss your jokes and screaming at Dad . You truly are one of the best❤️
Karen Kittler says
Anna & Family,
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing , cherish all the memories and tuck them close in your hearts 💕
Love and prayers for comfort, strength and peace 🙏💕🙏
Ron Raymaker says
My prayer to his family on the loss of such a wonderful man.
I was Mario’s last appointment on Saturdays for many years. I’ll never forget the wonderful Christmas parties at the shop or arriving early to have a steak bambino before the appointment–Mario had his unique description of the hot version!
Enjoyed his seasonal football decorations and having the Bears pennant in the bathroom–at least until his grandson became a Bear fan.
I had lost my own Dad and Mario was a great surrogate on those Saturday’s. We’ll all miss him.
Linda and Kevin says
Our love and prays to all . Uncle Mario was well loved. May your happy memories help you through this sad time.
Domenico &Giovanna Grasso says
Sorry for your lost mario was such a great man and friend i will miss him .
Teresa Grubber Stephenson says
My deepest condolences to your family. I hope you find peace and comfort in this most difficult time. Your husband, father and grandfather meant a lot to my family. I have only the fondest of memories.
Jeanne Gavin Kelemen says
Terri, Anna and to this sweet, sweet family, so sorry about your Dad…prayers, hugs
John Lapetina says
My condolences for the Aiello family . His pain has ended. Now he is at peace!
Gene and Diane Aiello says
Please accept our deepest sympathies. Gene said your family was like his 2nd family growing up. Mario and Frank are hugging one another now.
Todd Molgaard says
You must be so proud to have had him as your Father, what a wonderful Man, Person, Christian, and Friend.
Donna Cornelius and Robby Scheel says
I am so sorry for your loss my prayers are with you all
Ana Maria de Toraño says
Querida familia Aiello, les mando un abrazo cariñoso para Janet , Lisa y Jose, por la reciente partida de nuestro querido Mario a la casa del Padre.
Abrazos afectuosos para todos
Mama Ana Maria de Toraño
Rocio y Miguel Barocio says
Queridos Jose y Lisa, los acompañamos en estos momentos de tristeza por la partida de Mario , que Dios lo tenga en sus brazos.
Ana Maria de Toraño says
Querida familia Aiello, les mando un cariñoso abrazo, acompañandolos en su dolor por la muerte de nuestro querido Mario, que Dios les de fortaleza, especialmente a Jose y Lisa
Lynn de la Torre says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Keep all the memories alive in your heart and cherish the wonderful times you shared.
I was his therapist when he had his shoulder surgeries many moons ago. We had some great laughs together!
RIP Mario.
Jane Mancuso Stein and family says
So sorry for your loss. It was a privilege and honor knowing Mario.
Amy Ludwig-Neeley and Tim Neeley says
I have so many fond memories of being invited to Uncle Mario’s and Aunt Janet’s home for Christmas food during the holidays. (The Italian cookies were my favorite!) As soon as you stepped into their home, you felt the love from him and his wonderful family.
He had such a big heart and leaves an amazing legacy as a person. I will miss him and will always remember him with a smile.
With much love and deepest sympathies.
Anonymous says
Frances Aiello; my love to each of my nieces and the many families affected by the loss of my brother-in-law Mario. A special remembrance for Janet, my sister-in-law, whose pain I know, too well♥️
Jacqueline Smith says
MArio made a difference on earth as he will in heaven. He always made me feel very special whenever I visited Racine and it was always so great being able to reminisce about our mischievous undertakings as teenagers and young adults when he would allow me to join him and his buddies. Usually he was overprotective which meant I cramped his style. Those were the good ol days and I am grateful for the memories my dear cousin MArio. Your family and friends where blessed to have you in their lives. Rest In Peace.
Kelli Mouw says
With deepest sympathy for your loss.
Rosemary and Daniel Avila says
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. We did not know him but Autumn always spoke of what a great family patriarch he was . Our prayers are with you .
Jon and Christi Palubicki says
Our deepest sympathy to all of the Aiello families Loosing a loved one is very emotional, but all the beautiful memories help ease the pain and sorrow ❤️
Cousins Kim Pisanello, Natalie Aiello, Gina King, Marie Aiello and Sister-in-law Frances Aiello. says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Janet and all of our wonderful cousins. Uncle Mario was bigger than life and we will miss him. May God give you comfort at this time.
Vincent Candido says
Mario has cut every male head in my family. From my Grandfather, both Uncles, mine and my Brothers as well as my own boys. Mario was a great friend of my family and will be sadly missed. Rest in Paradise my friend.
Raymond E. Venegas II says
Mario Aiello,
I am devastated today. I found out you finally were called home to heaven. From my first haircut and my son’s Elijah’s first haircut, until you retired, you were my personal old fashioned barber. But more than that, you were like a father/ grandfather to me and very best friend. You seen me grow up with all its ups and downs and you knew everything about me. You counseled me and treated me like a son. We had so many personal conversations and you gave me so much advice in life, even giving me a high school job when you owned Pepis Deli next to the shop on 16th street. We laughed, we joked, we talked about Guy Wells, we always teased Gus Mancuso getting him so riled up, I tried and tried, but I could never get you to sell me one of your hand carvings, lol. You were so happy for me when I finally settled down with Eileen Fischer Venegas and had Elijah Venegas. I loved just stopping by the shop and chatting with you until you closed for the day, and then sweeping the floor as we just carried on like we were related. I don’t know what more to say other than I am devastated today Mario. You were the father/grandfather I never had. I’m crying genuine tears of loss for you Paisan! No more pickled eggplant, no more sports pendants hanging on the wall, no more Christmas decorations, just…. no more you. I loved you MARIO! REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
Aiello family, …my deepest condolences for your families loss. You have no idea how much Mario meant to me and my family- he was loved!
David Soens says
My deepest sympathy to the Aiello family after the passing of Mario. I have so many fond memories of time spent with your wonderful, loving family many years ago. Mario was a generous, dedicated father who, looking back, was an influential role model for me as a teenager. Rest in peace Mario.
John Van Thiel says
I’m so saddened to hear of Mario’s passing. He was truly one of a kind. A local legend. His zest for life was contagious. I always looked forward to haircuts as a chance to talk with Mario about Racine history. We shared that passion. Years ago, I’d help him with his old Racine photo display, printing pictures, or just digging up neighborhood history for him. He was so appreciative, he often gave me free cuts. He was so generous and supportive. He knew I saved old phonebooks for research, so every year, he’d stuff the new books in a bag for me to take home. And he was savvy. Like a big brother or father, he offered well-rounded common-sense advice, no matter what the subject. He knew each customer’s interests and made each feel special. You could tell that he loved everyone who came into his shop. Mario touched so many lives, bless him, and raised such a wonderful family. What better testament to a life well lived.
Lisa, Jose, Janette,Tony,Jessie,Mario,Lucia,JuanCarlos says
Dear Langendorf Family,
There are no words to describe how thankful and loved we felt during our Grandpa’s funeral service. We are so lucky to know you as friends and we will be forever greatful for everything you have done for us and for Grandpa Mario throughout his lifetime and after his death. He loved you all and enjoyed sharing so many great times with you in the barbershop and as neighbors.
Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all of your caring ways and thoughtfulness and extend our appreciation to all at the funeral home who made Mario’s service so memorable.
The Torano-Aiello Family
Pat and Peggy Metzker says
What a wonderful person that blessed our lives. A visit to Mario’s barbershop was an experience of lighthearted, banter, joking, and good fun. Mario was the ringmaster and entertained all the guests and patrons that entered the door. Mario was the first to get the spiced pecans each Christmas, and he would keep these on his back counter, and would only share one at a time with guests. Mario would state that the rest was for him. We will miss Mario’s smiling face at St. Lucy’s Masses. Our heartfelt sympathy, condolences, and prayers go out to the Aiello family.