Mario Antonio GHISLIERI

GHISLIERI, Mario Antonio (Anthony)
October 6, 1939 – April 11, 2015
On a beautiful Vancouver morning, with his son Darryn seated by his side, God called Mario home for eternal rest. With heartfelt sorrow and everlasting love, we announce the passing of a wonderful husband, loving father, devoted brother, teacher and coach extraordinaire, a great family member and a true friend. Known by his friends and students alike as "Mr. G.," "Mr. Ghiz," "Ghiz" or "Mud," Mario was a true Vancouverite, having been born at St. Paul's Hospital. He was an East Van boy who attended Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School and Notre Dame High School. He excelled at sports, mainly basketball, football, and track and field, participating in the Knights of Columbus track meets, where he broke many records and was named an Outstanding Athlete. Deciding he wanted to be an Athletic Coach, he became a PE Teacher, minoring in Business and Art. He received a Track and Field Scholarship to Eastern Washington State College (now University) in Cheney, Washington, where he lettered under a well-known Track and Field coach, Red Reese. He received his BA in Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics at EWS, as well as his BA in Education. Returning to Vancouver he completed his fifth year at UBC. He taught at St. George's School for Boys, then taught and coached at Immaculata High School in Kelowna. Thinking Administration would be of interest to him and allow him time for coaching, he became the first Athletic Director at BCIT in Burnaby. Deciding he enjoyed teaching more, he accepted a teaching position with the Vancouver School Board and taught at David Thompson Secondary, then at Thunderbird Elementary, before returning back to David Thompson from where he retired after a teaching and coaching career of almost 30 years–the majority of it spent in gyms and on school playing fields. Mario was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndromes, a blood cancer) in December 2013, and passed away at St. John Hospice after suffering from complications associated with this disease. Mario faced his MDS diagnosis with great acceptance. Mario practiced his faith every day and always found something positive to say. As a volunteer, he taught PREP (catechism) for 44 years and is remembered fondly by his many students. Mario volunteered at Canuck Place for five years and was lovingly referred to as "Grandfather Mario." Mario loved his home and vegetable gardens, especially his tomatoes. He enjoyed running, playing tennis, weight training, the Snow Garden and watching the Canucks, as well as watching Notre Dame (Ind.) play football and basketball. He was always happy to return to Vancouver after his many travels around the world with his wife Marguerite, but he especially loved Hawaii, where wonderful vacations were enjoyed with his family. He enjoyed his pets (always cats) and loved each one for their own personality. Waiting for him are Dusty, Daisy, and Cleo, with Poppy left wondering where his legs are.
Mario was predeceased by his mother and father, Mary (Barazzuol) and Fred Ghislieri, his mother and father-in-law, Marguerite (White) and Patrick O'Donohue, his sister-in- law Maureen (O'Donohue) Zaitsoff and brother-in-law Michael O'Donohue. He was also predeceased by his grandparents, a number of aunts and uncles and two cousins. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marguerite (O'Donohue) Ghislieri, his son Darryn and his daughter Celisa, his sister Anna Bateman and his niece Jayna. Mario is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law and their families: Mickey and Gordon Gibson, John and Kerry O'Donohue, Patrick O'Donohue and Shirley Blake, Helen and Alan Campbell, Lori O'Donohue, Cynthia O'Donohue and Michael Zaitsoff, as well as his Aunt Gabriella and Honorary Auntie Helen, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mario was part of a very special circle of friends, many actually from his kindergarten through high school days. He was a "musketeer" to Brian and Joe from kindergarten through to this day. We thank all our friends and family for their many visits, food, care and support during the past 16 months. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff at the Oncology Department of Burnaby General Hospital, as well as their ER, Medical Day and 3B units. We also thank from the bottom of our hearts the staff at St. John Hospice for their care and compassion of Mario and his family. We especially thank Dr. C. Jacoby, Dr. D. Telio and Dr. L. Salvino, for their care and support of Mario during his illness. We also express our appreciation to our family physician of almost 50 years, Dr. H. Chong and his wife Christina, as well as Dr. M. Akrigg for many years of care. Thank you also to Alfred and Ruth for everything you did in such a short time.
Mario's Funeral will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2015 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 555 Slocan Street at Pender, Vancouver, BC. Scalabrinian Fathers officiating. Celebration of Life to follow in the School Gym.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the NSSAR (North Shore Search and Rescue) at www.northshorerescue.com or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC, at #112 – 2025 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Z6. Please indicate in message boxes, "In Memory of Mario Ghislieri".
Mario, you have truly earned your wings, so go now and soar with the eagles. God's grace, sweetheart. 'Til we meet again.