Mario Anthony Saladino passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 in Houston, Texas. He was 95 years old.

Mario was born on January 10, 1928 in Queens, Long Island, New York but he moved with his family to La Porte, Texas in 1941. He was the third child of Sylvester and Carmella (Thomasello) Saladino. He graduated in 1944 from La Porte High School and was drafted in the military in 1946 where he served in World War 2. He was first trained at Fort Bliss in anti-aircraft artillery and later served as a Supply Sergeant at Sagamo Prison in Japan and then as an Army Engineer. Following his military service he completed technical school to become a brick layer and joined the Brick Layers Union. In 1960, Mario was hired as a Masonry Supervisor with W.W. Bartlett Masonary Company where he remained until retirement in 1991. While building a power plant at the Atomic Bomb Plant in Los Alamos, New Mexico he met his wife Berneice Eileen (Carlson) Saladino, then returning to La Porte to start his family. A year later Curtis Samuel Saladino was born followed by their daughter Valarie Lynn Saladino in 1954.

Mario was a dedicated father to his two children and wife of 63 years. He enjoyed camping, building and serving in his church.

He was preceded in death by his wife Berneice, parents, brothers Joe, Tony and son, Curtis, who passed away at 52. Mario is survived by his daughter Valarie Brown Coon.

A memorial has been established for AMVETS National Service Foundation. Donations may be sent to amvets.org and online condolences can be made to beileen89@icloud.com.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 10:00am, with visitation one hour prior to the service, at Peevey Funeral & Cremation, 12440 Beamer Road in Houston., with Rev. Karen Omalia officiating. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery.