Former C.A.O. of Milton, passed away on May 27, 2014 at age 58. He is survived by his wife and best friend Patricia. He was so proud of his daughter Jessica (Mark Henshaw) and cherished his granddaughters Keely and Raegan. He is also survived by his mother Carolina, his brother Ralph (Carole) and sister Margaret all of Welland and his brother Rico (Cindy) of Stoney Creek. He will be greatly missed by his in-laws, Jim and Isabelle Christie of Milton, Fiona Christie (Asoka Yapa) of Oakville and Douglas Christie (Jane) of Calgary. He will also be missed by his nieces and nephews Tannia, Damien, Alicia, Ryan, Laura and Dan and his goddaughter Julianne. He was predeceased by his father Tony, nephew Mark and niece Rachel. Mario was born and brought up in Welland, and worked for the cities of Edmonton, Scarborough, Markham, Kingston, Grimsby and his favourite of all - Milton. He was honoured with the Milton Chamber of Commerce Citizen of 2013 Award and also received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Mario tried his best, along with the Mayor, Council and town staff, to make Milton the best place in Canada to live and work. Mario had many passions: playing soccer, watching and talking hockey and football, gardening and ecology, his cottage at Sauble Beach, travel, investing and laughing. He maintained friends from his childhood (Tony and Dave), University of Waterloo (Duncan, Rose, Jamey, Frank), Edmonton (Duncan, Rose and family, Gary, Bob, Keith), Scarborough (Frank, Kate), Markham (David, Ted, Fred, Chris, Jack), Pickering (Kelley and family), Kingston (Dave), Grimsby (Keith) and too many to list from Milton who should know how much they meant to him. Mario co-chaired the Milton United Way’s Mayor’s Golf Tournament for many years and was also the campaign chair for a few years. Many thanks to the Kelso Lake Medical Clinic (especially Dr.’s Badawi and Fonseka and Amanda) and the Carlo Fidani Cancer Centre at Credit Valley (especially Dr. Kaiser and the chemotherapy nurses) who looked after Mario so caringly. Mario would appreciate donations to the United Way of Milton or Milton Hospital Foundation. Rather than sending flowers he would much prefer it if you planted a tree or some vegetables in your garden. Mario lived life to the fullest and his joyful exuberance rubbed off on all of those who loved him. We are so relieved Mario is now at peace.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the McKERSIE-KOCHER FUNERAL HOME 114 Main St. E. Milton 905-878-4452 on Thursday from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Mario’s Life will be held at the Milton Centre for the Arts 1010 Main St. E. Milton on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 11:00 am.