MECHANICVILLE - Mario A. Gaetano, Sr., 92, of Camber Court, died Tuesday, Sept. 6th, at Wesley Health Care in Saratoga Springs, after a long illness.
A native of Mechanicville, born Sept. 17, 1923, son of the late Joseph and Rose DeVito Gaetano, Mario served with the US Army Air Corps during WWII, serving with the 8th Air Corps in the European Theater.
A plumber with the Plumber’s Local 105 of Schenectady and later Local 7 of Albany, Mario worked on many projects in the Capital District, including the Gilboa Dam project and West Milton Naval training facility, retiring in 1986.
Music was a large part of Mario’s life, from playing the saxophone in the US Army Band to playing years ago with the former Fred Amodeo Band, Greg Nazarian Big Band, the Mechanicville City Band, the Fiesta Band and lastly the Shenendahowa Senior Citizens Band. A member of Assumption-St. Paul and Corpus Christi Church in his lifetime, Mario was proud of his musically inclined family, and enjoyed the love and support of his loving wife, children and grandkids.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Anna Pepe Gaetano, children: Stephen and Deb Gaetano of Clifton Park, Connie Gaetano and Joseph and Ann Gaetano of Mechanicville and Mario and Lisa Gaetano, Jr. of North Carolina, along with 10 grand and 9 great grandchildren, cousins and families.
Mario was predeceased by his sister Theresa Giulianelli and brothers Roland and Joseph Gaetano.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 11:30 AM at All Saints on the Hudson Church, 121 North Main St., Mechanicville, with military honors burial at Saratoga National Cemetery to follow. Calling hours at the North Main Street Church on Friday morning from 9 - 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Wesley Foundation, 131 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, 12866 or a Charity of One’s Choice in loving memory of Mario A. Gaetano, Sr.
Mario’s family thanks the staff of Wesley Health Care and especially Springs 4th floor unit for the care, compassion and concern to Mario and his family.