Born: April 28, 1923

Died: February 12, 2010

Services: A Memorial Mass is Saturday, February 20, at 11am, at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 6261 N. Granite Reef Road.

Visitation: A visitation is scheduled Friday, February 19, from 4-8pm, with a rosary at 7pm, at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Road.

Mario L. DiDomenico passed away at his Scottsdale home February 12, while under the loving care of his family and Hospice of the Valley. Inspired by a sun-drenched Southwest vacation, Mario and his family relocated to Phoenix from his native Chicago in the 1960’s. They settled in Scottsdale, and he soon continued his bartending career at valley hotels and hotspots like Durant’s, the Safari and Valley Ho. At the start of the 70’s, Mario partnered in the popular Silver Spur Saloon in Cave Creek.

“He was able to install our pool from that job, but my how he worked for that, driving dozens of miles to and from work and putting in 12-hour days,” says Patt, his wife of 49 years.

After too many close calls with cows and other commuting dangers, Mario became Beverage Director for Villa Monterey Country Club, from which he retired in 1983 after more than a decade of service.

Born the sixth of seven children to Italian immigrants on April 28, 1923, Mario had a childhood cut short by his father’s early death. His mother supported the family by selling flowers and produce, and her sons ran errands for Cook County Hospital patients. During WWII, she saw her five boys enlist in the service. Stationed in London as a message chief, Mario was involved in D-Day communications, working from an underground control center in an annex of Selfridges department store. One of his greatest memories from the war was seeing Glenn Miller’s last performance. When he and his brothers returned home safely, they opened DeeDee’s Lounge, an abbreviated
play on their ethnic surname.

He married Patt in 1960. In addition to his wife, he is survived by five sons Gary (wife Leslie) of New Orleans, Michael (wife Ann Lynn) of Tempe, Steven of Miami Beach, Jeffrey of Los Angeles and Andrew of Scottsdale; a daughter Susan Beauchamp (husband Brian) of New Orleans; a brother Ralph of Tennessee; and eight grandchildren Katie, Gary John, Cody, Kevin, Matt, Brian, Christelee and Bethany. He will be buried alongside his beloved son David and grandson Mark David. Above all else, his family was his passion.

“Besides his personality and sense of humor, I think he was so well-liked because he never was judgmental. He just accepted people as they are,” says Patt.

A visitation is scheduled Friday, February 19, from 4-8pm, with a rosary at 7pm, at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Road. A Memorial Mass is Saturday, February 20, at 11am, at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 6261 N. Granite Reef Road with burial services to follow at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 East Shea Boulevard.

Cemetery: Paradise Memorial Gardens (Map)

Location: Indian School Mortuary (Map)

Church: St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church (Map)