Mario Joseph Ghio April 1, 1954 - April 29, 2019 San Diego On Monday, April 29, 2019, Mario Joseph Ghio, loving husband and father, passed away at age 65 due to complications from Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease. Born April 1, 1954, Mario was a lifelong resident of San Diego. While at Saint Augustine High School, he excelled at football and continued on to play college ball at Mira Costa College and Southern Methodist. Mario was known as a man of all trades. He worked as a commercial fisherman, charcoal salesman, and a bar bouncer before working for many years as a business owner and trusted insurance agent. Some of his many hobbies included hiking, hunting, skiing, and scuba diving. He was a true outdoorsman and a skilled fisherman. He was with the love of his life, Nancy Ghio, for 24 years. Mario was a man of hard work, kindness, faith, and family. His wife and children meant everything to him. His legacy lives on through his children, Paul Ghio and Katie Ryan, Andrea and Blake Trimble, Ken Ghio, Dominic and Abigail Calo, Anthony Calo and Angel Rodriguez, Gina and Miguel Flores, and Mary Calo, and his grandchildren, Aiden and Everett Calo. His memory will never be forgotten and those that were lucky enough to know him will cherish the time they were able to spend with this incredible man. A Rosary Service and viewing will be held on Friday, May 10 at the Church of the Nativity in Rancho Santa Fe from 5-7pm. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Saturday, May 11 at the same location. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you might consider making a tribute donation in Mario's name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune from May 3 to May 6, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Mario Ghio

7 Entries

Rosamond Hoerr

April 25, 2021

Mario saved my life 24 years ago. With that, he saved my kids future. I’ve often thought of him as my hero. Sad to see he’s left us.

February 2, 2020

Just found out you passed on Mario my old friend from long ago.On the football field and many a night you taking care of me.love my friend RIP

Teri Rebelez

May 14, 2019

My son and his father, Nick and David Conedera and I were so sorry to hear about Mario's passing. We knew Mario from when our boys were in soccer and he was coaching them in grade school and through the kids friendships on through high school in Rancho Bernardo. I ran into Mario many times over the years in the halls at the Promomtory Office Building. He has always a caring and sweet man; always remembered Nick and asked about him whenever I saw him. We would swap stories about our kids. He is greatly missed and will never be forgotten as the kind of man every person should have in their community and a previlege to know. Our condolences to Nancy and all of your family members.

Ronald Nauman

May 14, 2019

It is with a heavy heart and sadness I express my sorrow and condolences to Nancy and the kids for the loss of your father and companion. I watched Mario begin his business and raise the children at an early age while going through a difficult time in his personal life. I admired Mario for the perseverance and tenacity to keep moving forward while ensuring the children were happy, healthy, and in a loving family. He was a good guy. Hard to find a man like Mario.

We will continue to pray for the family and will try to live life with the same principles that Mario lived by.

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May 9, 2019

We are deeply saddened by the news of Mario's passing. He was quite a guy/He'd give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
- Fellow Saintsman

May 6, 2019

Please accept my deepest and heartfelt condolences at this time of your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1,

BM

May 3, 2019

Mario literally saved my life. My son Joey May (school friend of Paul) and I accepted Mario's idea to take a fathers/sons camping weekend at Bishop's Pass in the High Sierra's. A couple of days trout-fishing I contracted Valley Fever and double pneumon at 10,000'. I could not get off the mountain for lack of oxygen supply to my muscles. Mario and Paul sprinted 4 1/2 hours down the mountain and informed the Sheriff's department to rescue Joey and me off the mountain. It was 100' ceiling - 1/4 mile visibility and the USMC Vietnam Veteran helo pilot landed on a boulder for the rescue. The EMT concluded I was in really bad shape and no way I would survive the night. We were medivac'd off that mountain. After 2 days in the ICU, I was released. I have thought of Mario and his fine character frequently these many years and I thank God for having known him...he saved my life, and his life was special and we will miss him. There are not such things as coincidences and I hope to earn the rest of this life so heroically extended by Mario (and Paul).
Our deepest sympathy,
Neil, Kristin, Jennifer and Joey May
Rancho Bernardo, CA

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