Mario Fulco, 66, of Union Township, New Jersey passed away on August 13, 2019 at home surrounded by his family after a two-year battle with Melanoma. Mario did not want anyone to know that he was sick, because he never wanted to be remembered that way and was the ultimate fighter not ready to give up on the life he loved so very much.
Mario was born on November 30, 1952 in Caltanissetta, Sicily to the late Vincenza Amico and Calogero Fulco. After moving to Chicago Illinois, Mario was drawn to the beautiful beaches of Southern Florida where he met the love of his life, his wife of 36 years, Donna DeMartino . Donna and Mario would take frequent trips back to Florida which made him the happiest, especially walking along the crystal blue waters and making friends and memories along the way.
Another great passion was his career as a carpenter, where he was an absolute perfectionist and professional. His proudest work was building water slides throughout the US and Mexico, but the project that made him the most proud was working on The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where he had the privilege of climbing all the way to the torch. Mario beamed when he spoke about his Lady Liberty, as he was truly living the American Dream. Mario came to America as a teenager and made a beautiful life for himself and his family. He wanted to make sure that his wife and two children had everything they could ever want and more. Even after retiring from the Carpenter’s Local 620, Mario could not retire as his gift was too rare and he wanted to continue working. He continued his career at Walter Bauman Jewelers where his coworkers became his family.
But above all Mario was an incredible husband and father. He would do anything for his wife, children and even fur babies. Every dog that Mario didn’t want in the house quickly became the most attached to him because they too could sense his genuine nature and loving heart. Marilyn Monroe once said, “If you can make a woman laugh, you can make her do anything.” Well to know Mario was to know constant laughter. He kept a smile on his wife’s face everyday with the ability to even turn a silly argument into a laughing match. He loved her with all of his heart giving his children the ultimate gift to look up to.
Mario was and will continue to be the ultimate role model and inspiration to his children. He taught them to never care what people think of you and to always be yourself. He taught them strength and courage and to never let anyone bring you down. He was their biggest supporter and fan. He would do anything to help them achieve their dreams, even if it meant standing in the freezing cold to take his daughter to visit colleges in the middle of winter. Helping his son learn how to drive his manual dream car, or shop for the perfect engagement ring to start a beautiful family, because he also helped to pass on his amazing taste in jewelry, clothes, sunglasses and of course footwear. He wasn’t just an amazing dad but an amazing friend who would build them mini doll houses, spend hours inside of a boardwalk arcade and sneak out and buy them dogs just to see them smile.
Any child that was fortunate enough to meet Mario, not just his own, quickly idolized him and his humor. Those children have now grown into adults with children of their own forming the same bond due to the abundance of love in Mario’s heart.
Just when you thought Mario couldn’t appreciate and love life or anyone more he became a nonno, growing his heart ten times more. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and would light up any time he spoke of them. They also quickly became attached to his beautiful soul.
Mario is survived by his immediate family, wife Donna Fulco, son Anthony Fulco, daughter Daniella Fulco, daughter in law Nikolina Fulco, and two grandchildren Luciano Mario and Mila Angela Fulco as well as so many loved ones close to his heart.
“I’ve lived a life that’s full
I travelled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way”
-Frank Sinatra
Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Mario knows this lyric to be true,
he lived a full life and did everything his way.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18