Mario Suarez's Obituary
Mario Suarez was taken suddenly from us on September 29, 2017. His quick passing at 83 was a surprise to his family and friends. A lifelong West Tampa native, Mario was the middle child of nine brothers who shared a three-bedroom home on St. Conrad Street with his mother Celia Fraga Suarez and father Antonio Suarez. His parents once owned the Wagon Wheel bodega situated in a small space next to Olympia Bakery and a short walk from Rey Park. The Wagon Wheel name, translated to Spanish as “Carretòn” was forever the nickname for every one of the nine children of the family and to their descendants today. Born May 21, 1934, Mario knew poverty directly as the family struggled to feed everyone on the salary of Celia’s job as a cigar roller and Antonio’s work as a butcher. A graduate of Jefferson High School in 1954, Mario joined the U.S. Air Force and served 3 of his 4 years as a radar operator for Strategic Air Command at MacDill Air Force Base. He married Mary Josie DiMaria at age 21 and became a barber, his profession for more than 25 years. In addition, he was a real estate broker and insurance salesman, first in Medicare supplements and later as the owner of Tampa No-Fault, an auto insurance specialty agency that he retired from in 2005.
Mario enjoyed his life to the fullest, traveling with his beloved Mary to Mexico, California, New York City, Hawaii, Biloxi and especially Las Vegas. His trips with Mary, Mario Jr., and Roxanne, to Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve for 25 years were always the highlight of his year. Many trips were centered around visiting Sabrina and family during their years of military service. He welcomed everyone during Noche Buena at his house, including friends of his children and grandchildren, acquaintances and neighbors. He enjoyed following the Tampa Bay Rays and would root for any team playing against the Yankees, and was fortunate to attend the first World Series Game the Rays ever played in 2008. He was always ready to debate, whether about news of the day or about politics. His daily visits to El Gallo to see old friends always started with his welcome of “Hello Gentlemen” and he proceeded to Cacciatore’s where he shopped for food for the day. His presence was felt everywhere he traveled throughout West Tampa but his favorite place was with his family. From his weekly visits to Mike’s house for Sunday dinner, to Lisa’s house for Thanksgiving, to recitals for his grand-daughters and great grand-daughters, and tee ball and flag football games for his grandsons, he was always there for his extended family.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary DiMaria Suarez, his daughters Sabrina Scott (Bob), Lisa Cassanese (Bobby), and sons Mario Suarez (Roxanne) and Mike Suarez (Laura). His surviving brothers, Augustine “TiTi” Alvarez of Tampa, Ceferino Suarez of Tampa and Hugh “Ute” Suarez of South Carolina are left without their daily talks and visits with Mario. His 10 grandchildren Dawn Scott, Andrea Mortellaro, Ricky Scott, Joseph Cassanese, Franchesca Cassanese, Lissette Clamon, Andria Angulo, Vincent Suarez, Anthony Suarez, and Nicholas Suarez are left with his memory and example. In addition, he is survived by six loving great-grandchildren who will greatly miss their Nano. He was predeceased by his beloved mother Celia, his father Antonio, and his brothers Ernesto “Ernie” Alvarez, Hilario “Jerry” Alvarez, Reynaldo “Sappy” Alvarez, Tony Suarez, and Michael “Mikey” Suarez.
Visitation with the family and a celebration of Mario’s life will be Friday, October 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Boza and Roel Funeral home, 4730 North Armenia Avenue in Tampa. A burial at the Sarasota National Cemetery will follow on Tuesday, October 10, at 11 a.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation in Mario’s name be made to Feeding Tampa Bay, 4702 Transport Drive, Building 6, Tampa, FL 33605 or online at feedingtampabay.org/donate.
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