Mario Palumbi

Mario Palumbi died suddenly on January 17, 2025 while on vacation in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. He was born on March 4, 1940 in Garrano Basso (Provincia di Teramo), Italy to the late Antonio Palumbi and Candida Pepe.

Mario was the youngest of five siblings and he is predeceased by his sisters Esterina, Onorina and Rosina. His sister Pina, his remaining living sibling, resides in San Nicolo a Tordino (TE), Italy. Mario is survived by his wife, Maria Assunta (née DiFilippo), his children, Anthony (Lisa) and Paola Yeager (Dan) and his five grandchildren, Sofia, Olivia and Mario Palumbi and Simon and Giuliana Yeager, all of Havertown, PA.

Mario was born and raised in the small town of Garrano Basso on the outskirts of Teramo in the region of Abruzzo in central Italy. In the late 1950's Mario followed his sister Pina and her husband to Neufchatel Switzerland to work for General Motors. In 1963 he joined his parents, his sister Rosina and her husband in Boonton, New Jersey where he fully embraced the American Dream by working for his uncle at various jobs, learning to speak English and charming the local girls. After a few years he moved to Wayne, PA to live with relatives and work at Molin Body Shop on Lancaster Avenue.

In 1969, Mario went back to Garrano Basso and proposed to the girl next door, Maria Assunta DiFilippo, whom he would be married to for over 55 years. They returned to Wayne where their children, Paola and Anthony were born and then moved to Havertown in 1983. Mario went on to open Classic Coachwork Inc. with business partner John Schnauffer where he enjoyed 30 years of hard work and commitment to his clients on the Main Line. After retiring from the auto body business, he went on to open Ristorante La Locanda in Newtown Square at the encouragement of Maria. He would spend the next 27 years devoting his days to the incredible staff and loyal customers working alongside his business partner, Franco Stefanatto.

Mario loved to socialize with friends, loved meeting new people and enjoyed engaging in conversation with customers. His family joked that La Locanda was his country club, as he moved around the restaurant welcoming customers, listening to their stories and telling some of his own.

Mario adored his family. Maria was the love of his life. Together they worked very hard and enjoyed travelling and entertaining friends and family. They truly created a beautiful life together. Mario was so proud of his children, Paola and Anthony and loved telling stories of their childhood. His grandchildren lit up his eyes and he was always so happy to be around them. Whether it was a family birthday party, a backyard BBQ, a holiday party, Grandparent's Day at SS Colman John Neumann, a musical at Archbishop John Carroll or having dinner together at La Locanda, he always enjoyed himself. Mario was blessed with the opportunity to travel often with his family and they are fortunate to have memories of their many trips together.

Mario was loved by all who knew him and will be dearly missed.

The Palumbi and Yeager families will receive family and friends on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 9 am to 10:45 am at Saint John Neumann Church, 380 Highland Lane, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010. Mass will begin thereafter at 11 am.

Mass will also be available via Livestream at https://sjnparish.org/celebrate/livestream/

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mario Palumbi's memory may be made to SJN/SCJN Capital Campaign Fund. 380 Highland Lane, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010.