Mariano "Mario" Durso

Mariano “Mario” Durso, 92, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by his loving family on June 28, 2022 at the Abraham House in Rome.

Born in Esperia, Italy on March 24, 1930, Mario was the son of the late Paolo and Assunta (DiCuffa) Durso. He immigrated to the US in December 1956, where he started work in the boroughs of NYC and later went on to send for his bride in 1958. Prior to immigrating to the US, he was a police officer within the Italian military.

Every Spring, he cultivated his garden, dug by hand, a labor of love and known throughout the city. Mario took great pride in his harvest. Every Autumn, he picked his annual harvest and shared it with his family and friends, along with his fruit trees and grapevines. Mario was the happiest when he was outdoors and enjoying fishing and hunting during the Winter.

He belonged to the Local Laborer’s Union #35, now called LIUNA, where he worked as a mason, laborer and construction worker throughout his career. His claim to fame was helping establish Utica College and going to the annual Clam Bakes hosted by his Union.

On September 8, 1955, he married the former Elisa Ciocca in Pontecorvo, Italy, a blessed union of 66 years.

Mario is survived by his beloved wife, Elisa; two daughters and sons-in-law, Maria and Robert DeGristina, Utica and Rose and Robert Siriano, New Hartford; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Michelle Durso, AZ; five granddaughters, Nancy (Jordan) Polizzi, Melissa (fiancé, Justin Meeker) Siriano, Danielle (John) Fanelli, Dana Siriano and Alyssa (Mark) Nicoletta; grandson, Cody Durso; three precious great-grandsons, John Salvatore Fanelli, Vincent Gennaro Meeker and Joseph Mariano Fanelli; two brothers, Raymond and Anthony Durso, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by Elisa’s family in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and across Europe, as well as some very close friends who were like family, Vincenzo Cutrona and Joe Plado. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Olivia and Raffaele Ruggiero, brother, Joseph L. Durso, infant brother, Joseph Durso and sister-in-law, Deborah Durso.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday, July 6 from 4-6 pm at the Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home, 1122 Culver Ave, Utica. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 7 at 10 am at Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Utica.

Mario’s family wishes to thank his brothers, Raymond and Anthony Durso for all their Italian translations for the family, as well as Dr. Nalini J. Namassivaya, his pulmonologist, for her care and compassion, and the nurses and staff of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, especially the 4th floor, Special Care Unit, and the 3rd floor, ICU.

Donations in Mario’s name may be made to the Abraham House, Rome, as they were so wonderful and caring during his short stay. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

In keeping with the family’s wishes, please adhere to COVID-19 restrictions and facemask coverings.