Mario Grippa

July 2, 1920 - August 4, 2018

Mario Grippa, 98, of Aliquippa, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 4, 2018 in Rochester Villa, Rochester, Pa. Born July 2, 1920 in the hillside village of Supino, Italy to parents Rocco and Felicetta (Nalli) Grippa. He served in the Italian Navy during World War II as Sergente from 1937 until he came to America in 1947. Mario was then employed as a diesel mechanic for A & S Railroad until his retirement. In addition to his full-time job, he almost always had a second one. He was the bar manager for the Sons of Columbus and a bartender for the MPI Club in Aliquippa. Mario was an avid cyclist and raced competitively in Italy. He went on cycling trips even into his 70's. He loved re-making and repairing discarded bicycles (that he went looking for on trash day! ) and then generously giving them away. He was an excellent craftsman and seemed to be able to "MacGyver" anything with exacting skill. Mario was quite an artist and enjoyed drawing chalkboard murals and making silly creations for his grandchildren. Known to everyone for his quick wit, sly smile, and great sense of humor, he was a master storyteller and a houseful of people was a great joy to him. He loved his family above all and was generous to a fault. In addition to his parents, Mario was preceded in death by his angel of a wife, Elena "Helen" (Sildra) Grippa in 2011. They were married 64 years. Also preceding him were his two brothers Argante, Amilcare and grandson Dennis White in December 2017. Surviving to carry on his legacy are son, Dr. Mario Grippa and wife Michele (Whittle) Grippa of Aliquippa and daughter Rose White, Aliquippa. Four beloved grandchildren, Kristine (Stiffler) Hughes and husband Brian, Marissa (Grippa) Julin and husband Derek, Carly (Grippa) Valek and husband Scott, and Hayley Grippa and fiance' Joseph Fehir. Mario was also blessed with five great-grandchildren; Jordyn Hughes, Devyn Hughes, Carter White, Hailee White, and new baby Calia Fehir. He is also survived by sister-in-law Liliana Grippa and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. in the Anthony Mastrofranceso Funeral Home Inc. 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa 724-375-0496. A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Titus Church, Aliquippa with Father Martin officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staffs of Brighton Rehabilitation, Rochester Villa, and Mother Teresa Hospice for their compassionate loving care of their Dad and Nonno. If you care to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly consider Wounded Warrior Project or Freedom Service Dogs.