Mario V. Tortora

LAKELAND, FL — Mario V. Tortora, of Wareham, died Monday, May 19, 2008 at his home in Lakeland, FL.

Mario had one goal this year...it was to have his end of life journey be spent in Lakeland, FL with his only child Louisemarie and her husband Jack, his only granddaughter Lisamarie and his only great grandchild Hailey Madison... God granted him his request in March when he gave him 60 wonderful days in the Florida sunshine where he relaxed everyday, laid in the sun, fed the ducks in the back yard, had a most wonderful Easter Sunday dinner with his extended family (yup he did help cook). He visited Busch Gardens, Cypress gardens and took a 260 mile road trip to see the widow of his best buddy 'Popeye,' who he served with while on board the USS Izard (DD589). He watched an amazing sunset with double rainbows one night and said, I'll be going to the other side soon."

Mario struggled daily with a great number of long and lingering health issues, beginning with the heart disease that he battled with for 18 years, asbestosis took his lungs, gout affected his knees and feet, diabetes and high cholesterol, yet fighting them all at the same time, he still managed to go through the day with an oxygen tank at his side and very few complaints, he managed to smile and remain cheerful in spite of feeling mentally drained and physically exhausted.

Nearly 60 years ago Mario promised to love, cherish and protect his one true love and constant companion, his wife Millie. He followed through with that promise right to his last breath. He was the crown jewel in the life of his daughter Louisemarie, the hero to his only grandchild Lisamarie, and the best coloring mate and dune buggy driver to his latest fan of 6 years, his great granddaughter Hailey Madison.

He leaves behind his devoted sisters in law, Sunny Sheedy, Jo Taber, Teresa Tortora, nieces Carol Bianco, Marie Higgins, nephews Michael and Jim Sheedy, Frank, Michael and Steven Tortora, and countless family members.

He felt fortunate to have been a part of so many lives and have so many wonderful lifelong friends in Swifts Beach, he valued the friendships of so many to mention only a few: Louis and Theresa Gallenaro, Betty and Herbie Voss, Joey and Cindy, Mickey and Joe Vendetti, Rick Gendrolis, Lee and Angle Pina, Jim and Joan Capauano, Thelma Webb, Theresa Cleary. The guys at the American Legion, the VFW, the Moose, and the K of C, the Cappello's, the Madden's, McWilliams, the entire crew that John and Judy owners of the Cranberry Cottage employ.

Mario made friends of everyone he met, even during his last few days in the hospital. Mario passed away at his daughter's home on Monday night May 19th at 11:02 just two months shy of his 84th birthday. At his side was his one true love and most definitely the love of his life, his wife Millie, his cherished daughter and the light of his life Louisemarie and son in law, Jack.

Please honor Mario by thinking of him each day. As you share a story, remember his generosity, his love of cooking, his spunk, caring for his garden, keeping up his property, have a laugh, a beer or a glass of wine, tonight keep Mario in your thoughts and his grieving family in your prayers and hearts as they have lost the most valued member of their team.

He'll see each of you at the end of the rainbow even if it's not for many years to come!

Funeral will be from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham on Sat., May 31 with visitation from 8:30 to 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church, 82 High St., Wareham at 10 AM. Interment will be in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Visiting hours will also be Friday from 6 — 9 PM.

Donations in his memory may be made to American Legion, 777 Main St., Wareham, MA 02571, Benjamin Cushing V.F.W. Post # 2425, P.O. Box 126, Marion, MA 02738, or American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.