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BORN
1917
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Mario Maccarone Obituary
100 years old, of Glenwood Avenue, Cranston, died on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Mario "Jim" Maccarone was predeceased by his beloved wife Lucia Maccarone (Giuliani), who died in June of 2008. They were married for 66 years and raised their four children in the Eden Park section of Cranston. He was also predeceased by his sisters Esther (Alviti) and Anne Maccarone, and brother Dominick Maccarone.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island on January 13, 1917, Mario was the son of Vincenzo Maccarone and Ernestine Maccarone. Mario was the owner of the White Mountain Ice Cream Co., in Providence, where he manufactured high quality ice cream and frozen lemonade, and distributed it on his ice cream route throughout Mt. Pleasant, and North Providence for more than 65 years. Mario's oldest son, James, continues to operate the White Mountain Ice Cream Co. He loved working in the White Mountain Ice Cream Co.—The Peak of Quality, which he established in 1945, and where he worked until he was 89 years old. He cherished his ice cream customers as extended family members and knew them all by name. He would often finish his long days of work, accompanied by his sons who worked their ice cream routes in Smithfield and Greenville, and remark how wonderful his customers were.
Mario was a proud and decorated veteran of World War Two, having fought in the Ardennes Forest—Battle of the Bulge, for which he received three Bronze Stars for action in Germany, France and Belgium. He also received medals for good conduct, meritorious service, and he was honorably discharged in 1945. Mario believed in God, country, and family.
Mario is survived by his devoted children, James Maccarone and his wife Judith of Cranston, Ronald Maccarone and his wife Alene of Danville, California, Robert Maccarone and his wife Denise D'Ambrosio of White Plains, New York, and Mary Lou Clark and her husband David of So. Windsor, Connecticut, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Wednesday at 9 :00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in the Church of St. Mark, 9 Garden Court, Cranston. Burial, with military honors, will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS are on Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hope Hospice and Palliative Care of RI, 1085 No. Main Street, Providence, RI 02904. Visit www.NardolilloFH.com for online condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mario Maccarone
Sponsored by Nardolillo Funeral Home Inc. - Cranston.
Brenda McGinnis
November 6, 2019
I know this is sometime after he has passed, yet my family and I were talking about him the other night. We are from North Providence our autistic brother Joey was always bribed with Jims ice cream if he had a good school day. ❤ he always asked him when he saw him how his day was we loved him
Norbert Schecher
April 6, 2017
Jimmy, I am sorry for your loss. I still live in the same neighborhood and miss the sound of that bell.
April 5, 2017
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Bob Bradford
March 10, 2017
My dog could hear him coming before us so we could be first in line. His ice cream sandwiches were a high point in the hot summer days. Our dog Tippy always had a cup of vanilla. My condolences to his family. He was a special person and will be missed.
Dana Blais-Vermilyea
March 9, 2017
Jim was our ice cream man and we loved him. He was gentle, patient, kind and had the best lemon sherbet ever. He will always be loved and remembered by the Chestnut Street children. Our prayers go out to his entire family.
Jennifer
March 8, 2017
Thanks for all the wonderful childhood memories Jim! You were the best ice cream man. Your lemon sherbert was the BEST! Rest in peace.
matty g
March 8, 2017
Where do you start when describing "JIM THE ICE CREAM MAN". Every kid in Graniteville knew who Jim was. They might not have been able to tell you who the president was but they knew Jim. He was bigger than life to us. So sad to see he had passed.Creamsicles and fudgesicles all around in heaven. When you think of legends Jim certainly comes to mind. Today there is a hole in our hearts.RIP my friend until we can again share a cone of lemon sherbert
Tom Sacco
March 7, 2017
From as far back as I can remember. Every day at 4:30 Jim would stop in front of my house and ring the bell. kids came from EVERY direction for Jim's SPECIAL OF THE DAY or one of the many delicious flavors of ice cream and lemonade. Jim was a legend in our neighborhood.God rest his soul. Truly Wonderful man. Prayers and condolences to his family
Mark Fortin
March 7, 2017
My condolence to the Maccarone Family.
I was a vendor for Mario during many RI summers. I have very fond memories of Mario and his brother. RIP Mario. "I'll take one Lemonaid"
Mark Fortin
March 7, 2017
My condolence to the Maccarone Family. I was a vendor for Mario for many years during Rhode Island Summers. I have very fond memories of him and his brother.
RIP Mario " I'll take one Lemonaid "
March 7, 2017
Marylou, I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. I know how difficult this is for you and your family. Remember all the good times and the beautiful family photo you have from his 100th birthday party. If there is anything, anything at all I can do please let me know. Lisa
Alice Petrone
March 7, 2017
I have many fond memories of living in the house on Glenwood Ave with Mario & Lucy. They were like my second parents. I remember those amazing ice cream sandwiches Mario would bring home on a hot summer night they were the best! After I moved it was not uncommon to find them both at my door on a Sunday afternoon and we would have coffee together. I know he will be sorely missed. Sending my love & prayers to you all.
David Gregory
March 7, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Many fond memories of hot summer days enjoying the arrival of "Jimmy". The Gregory Family, Johnston RI
Diane Wilson
March 6, 2017
Always loved the ring of his Bell. Here comes Jimmy the ice cream man as he was known. God bless him and may he rest in peace.
Tracy
March 6, 2017
Jim was such a big part of my childhood. He taught us all to be patient and fair. And always knew everyone's name, year after year. A true champion of children. May he rest in peace.
March 6, 2017
My condolences,this man made many children happy and spent many days working in his Ice cream truck. He also served his country proudly. I still today tell people about white mountain Ice cream and the man known as Jim. RIP Jim
Janet M
March 6, 2017
I am 46 years old and the mention of Jim brings me back to wonderful summer days when we would jump to attention hearing the ice cream truck. He was always the nicest man to all of us. My thoughts are with his family during this time.
Michelle Cloutier Shepard
March 6, 2017
Jim was so well known when I was a kid for the best homemade icecream and icecream sandwiches and lemonade. We heard his bell and came running to pick our favorite treat for the day. I know the whole Greystone, North Providence neighborhood will forever remember and miss you.
March 6, 2017
So sorry to hear of your loss Jimmy. Sounded like a pod man like you .Joann, John, Michael and Lori Serapiglia
Claudia
March 6, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss. I grew up in the 70's and 80's in North Providence. One of my favorite memories is when your father came by in his ice cream truck. He always made sure us kids made it across the street safely. He was always friendly and his ice cream was delicious! It was the highlight of our summers as children. Your father was a good, kind soul. God bless.
March 6, 2017
OThis man was so much more than my ice cream man..I can't think of my childhood without thinking of him..God has a very special man coming ...Here comes Jim!
Trisha Peloquin
March 6, 2017
My favorite Ice Cream man!!! I remember every summer waiting for "Jim" to come threw my neighborhood in Johnston as kid as he rang that bell in his white truck. RIP
Maureen Neumann
March 6, 2017
So very sorry to hear that your dad has passed. I have fond memories of all of you! Your mom & dad were always nice to me when I rented the 3rd floor on Glenwood! Thoughts and prayers.
Carol Stacy
March 6, 2017
Rip Jimmy I remember being a kid and couldn't wait for him to come with the ice cream truck... he was a very nice man.. my condolences to the family
Mary Winter
March 6, 2017
Bob and family,
What a long and wonderful life ! A true patriot and blessing to all his family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa Maher Smith
March 6, 2017
Some the best memories of my childhood are of Jim the ice cream man and his treats....may you rest in peace...Woodhaven, north providence...
March 6, 2017
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad, Jimmy
Gene Jutras
Terry Scanlan
March 6, 2017
To the Maccarone famliy,
I have met many people in life but few will have had such a positive impact on me than Jim. He brought us sunshine every day. It was an honor to be part of Jim's extended family. He was part of that greatest generation that never spoke of their own heroics.
I can only hope that in Heaven we will still be able to have rum raisen ice cream.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sue
March 6, 2017
Such great memories of hearing the ice cream truck rolling down the street. All the neighborhood kids would run in the house to get a quarter for ice cream. We all called him "Jummy White Mountain" - all one name. RIP, Jimmy White Mountain!
Rae Caloura
March 6, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. You always knew it was summer when you heard his ice cream bell. While the ice cream was great, it was Jim that made it special. He knew us all and genuinely cared for us. His family lost a true treasure.
Kevin McCarthy
March 6, 2017
To the Maccarone family, all my best wishes in a sad time. Jim is deeply woven into the fabric of my family and friends lives on Elmcrest Avenue in the 1960's and 1970's. The sound of Jim's bell would immediately cause us kids to drop whatever we were doing and start scrounging for change in our pockets, or of course running home to mom and dad to ask for cash. Jim was ever patient and ever kind as we struggled to choose among the amazing flavors and options. If he had a minute, Jim would even put a little ice cream in a cup for our family dog, Ginger! Life has taken many of us far from that time and place, but when my old friends and I get together, amid the tall tales and memories of the happy times of our youth, the subject of Jim the Ice Cream Man will come up, and we will often comment that Jim's ice cream is among the best we have ever had. One sign of a good life is the number of people who smile when they think of you. I have always and will always think of Jim with a smile.
Michael Petrucci
March 6, 2017
My family is saddened to hear of Jim's passing. Our condolences to your family. I sent the obituary to all of them living in Florida. Jim "the ice cream man" is such a legendary and cherished memory from our youth in the Graniteville section of Johnston during a much simpler and wholesome time. A kind, true gentleman always with his khaki pants and tee shirt. The sound of his bell even in my 20's would elicit excitement and cause me to run outside for his delicious lemonade, sherbert, frozen pudding and incredible ice cream sandwiches. Jim really was part of our family, all of our families on Forest Hill Dr and I would like to say thank you for allowing us to experience such a precious and treasured past with your loved one. As a child who would have known of his incredible military service as he was so humble a man and so patient with us. The greatest generation indeed. God bless you Jim "the ice man." I salute you. You were missed from the moment your bell stopped ringing in our neighborhood.
Carol Boyer
March 6, 2017
Maccarone family,
Jim was part of mine and my sisters' childhood memories. We couldn't wait till we heard Jim's bell ringing on our street in Graniteville, part of Johnston. May he rest in peace.
Carol(Leveille)Boyer
Carol Boyer
March 6, 2017
Maccarone family,
Jim was part of mine and my sisters' childhood memories. We couldn't wait till we heard Jim's bell ringing on our street in Graniteville, part of Johnston. May he rest in peace.
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