Mario M. Fragola

Mario M. Fragola, Jr., 91, passed peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Rome Hospital.

   He was born, raised and lived his entire life in Rome. He was the son of Mario “Mike” and Rose (Messere) Fragola. Mario was a 1950 graduate of Rome Free Academy. Shortly after high school, Mario enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada during the Korean War. After being discharged from the Army, Mario attended MVCC and Utica College and obtained an accounting degree. Mario was employed with D’Arcangelo & Co. for over 40 years. In 1965, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy Benedetto, at St. Peter’s Church in Utica. A marriage that lasted 58 years and produced 3 children.

   Mario always put his family first and was a devout Catholic. He was parishioner at St. John the Baptist Church his whole life. He loved everything about the church and handled the books and records of the church for over 60 years. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed giving the vegetables he grew to family and friends.

   He will be sadly missed by his family, including his wife, Dorothy, his 3 children, David of Waterloo, Doreen and her husband Greg Tyler of Fuquay-Varina, NC and Brian of Rome. He leaves behind one special granddaughter, Jaclyn Tyler, whom he loved very much. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Giacomo E. and Joan Fragola, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph and Theresa Carrone and a brother-in-law Francis Benedetto and several nephews and nieces. Along with his parents, he is predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law Vincent M. and Roseanne Fragola, a sister-in-law Delores Benedetto and his niece and goddaughter Cynthia Fiorini.

   The family would like to thank the nurses of 2 North at Rome Hospital for their compassionate and loving care in Dad’s final days.

   Funeral services will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio as Celebrant. Calling hours will be from 10 am to 11 am prior to the Mass. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mario’s memory to St. John the Baptist Church.

   Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St.

  You may view the obituary and send a message of sympathy online at: www.bottinifuneralhome.com .