Mario Cadavillo Mortel

Mario Cadavillo Mortel was born on December 8, 1942 in Lucena City, Quezon Province, Philippines to Dominador Vergara Mortel and Lourdes Cadavillo Mortel Bautista. Dominador was a WWII veteran and served under General MacArthur of the US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Lourdes was a military spouse, who then worked as a pharmacist at her family owned drug store. Mario had four siblings: Avelina Cadavillo Mortel Capito, Grace Cadavillo Mortel Ubaldo, Imelda Cadavillo Mortel Tordesillas, and Angelica Cadavillo Mortel Bautista. His father Dominador passed away when Mario was 8 years old. Mario took it upon himself to take care of his mother and sisters as the leading male figure of the family from that point on.

Mario met Florien Tirador at a fair through a mutual friend. He continued to court her and they fell in love. They married when he was 27 years old, and they had five beautiful children together: Isabel Mortel Belen, Lourdes Mortel, Angelica Mortel, Aveline Mortel, Dominique Mortel Gabro. During this time, he also graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from Philippine Women’s University in Quezon City. He loved to share memories of his time playing sports when he was on the Quezon City Health Basketball and Volleyball team.

In 1990, Mario and Florien immigrated to the United States along with their children in search of better opportunities. Mario’s mother and sisters were already living in the United States and he also longed to be reunited with his family. For 15 years, he worked for the New York City Department of Human Resources Administration serving his fellow New Yorkers. He worked hard to make sure his children were well-provided for throughout his life. After every long workday, he made it a priority to buy groceries and prepare a delicious home-cooked Filipino meal. Mario loved cooking, Elvis Presley, watching boxing matches especially any involving Manny Pacquiao, and spending time with his family. Mario retired from NYC HRA after suffering from lung cancer and undergoing a lobectomy.

However he continued to serve his wife and daughters through different acts of love around the home. Mario then suffered from two strokes in 2014 and 2016. Despite his neurologic deficits, he continued to fight through his illnesses.

Mario was the ultimate family man and devoted his life to his wife and five daughters. He lived a simple and humble life so that his children may experience all that the world has to offer. He knew each of his daughter’s hearts and was proud of all five of his girls. He spoke lovingly about his mother and his sisters until his very last day, and he cherished all of their childhood memories.

Mario will always be remembered as a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He taught us family values, strong work ethic, patience, understanding, forgiveness, and most of all love. He is survived by his wife, five children, and grandchildren Jonathan, Ava, Trey, and Cameron. He will never be forgotten and his memory lives on forever in our hearts.

For 80 years, Mario was faithful in God and made sure his children grew up in the Catholic Church. He always reminded his children to pray and turn to God in difficult times. May Mario rest in eternal peace. Amen.

John 14: 1-3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

A visitation for Mario will be held Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at R. Stutzmann & Son, 224 39 Jamaica Ave, Queens Village, NY 11428. A funeral service will occur Friday, March 10, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, 86-45 Edgerton Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432. A committal service will occur Friday, March 10, 2023 from 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM at Mount St. Mary Cemetery, 164-15 Booth Memorial Avenue, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rstutzmannandsonfuneralhome.com for the Mortel family.