Mario M Birardi

Mario M. Birardi, of Bensalem, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon, January 7, 2017. He was 63. Born in Fort Dix, NJ and raised in South Amboy, he lived there until his family moved to Flemington, in 1969 when his family purchased Stewarts Root Beer Drive-In in Ringoes. In South Amboy, Mario worked alongside his father in their family store, Joe's Smoke Shop/Mario's Sub Shop. He graduated Hunterdon Central High School in 1971 and attended the University of Dayton. Mario owned and operated Stewarts until retiring in 2008. Stewarts was owned by the Birardi family for over 40 years. He also owned Proteus Corp. as a graphic designer for over 24 years. Mario was the ultimate adventure enthusiast, who felt deeply about exploring, driving in the snow, questioning everything, learning all he could, and always trying something new. Mario was the true definition of "one-of-a-kind." His family and friends knew him as a "jack of all trades," always just a phone call away with advice, and always willing to drop anything for someone in need. A racing and car enthusiast, Mario could often be found at the racetrack, or driving his Datsun 510. Mario was also known as the unofficial mascot of the Villanova Woman's Basketball team with his custom decorated Mini Cooper. Mario is preceded in death by his parents Mario and Ann Birardi, his in-laws, Clare and Philip Walsh, and sister-in-law Aileen Walsh. Mario will be greatly missed by his wife, Kathy Walsh-Birardi of 25 years, his sister Christina Birardi Moore and her husband Donald, brother Greg Birardi and Fatima Silva Birardi, and brother Tony Birardi. Mario will also be greatly missed by his nieces Ashley, Vanessa, Veronica, Valerie, and Gabriela, and nephews Brandon, Vincent, Victor, and Steve and many aunts, uncles, cousins and great friends. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday evening, January 12th, 2017 at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol-Oxford Valley Road, Levittown, PA 19057 from 6 to 8pm and again on Friday morning, from 8:30 to 9:45am. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30am at St. Ephrem Church, 5400 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 19020. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mario Birardi can be made to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia by mail to P.O. Box 781352 Philadelphia, PA, 19178-1352.