Mario Font Rivera

Mario was born on his island paradise of Vieques, Puerto Rico, the youngest son of the late Juana Font and Doniciano Rivera Martinez.

As a young man, Mario served five years in the United States 65th infantry during the Second World War, earning the American Good Conduct Theatre Medal and received an honorable discharge in 1946.

That same year, Mario and his family immigrated to New York; where he graduated from the Hollywood Academy in 1948 and the Leon Amendale Advanced Hairstyling Academy in 1950.

Mario moved to Nova Scotia in June 1955 and opened “Mario’s” and “Mario’s School of Hairdressing” on Inglis Street in Halifax. Later he studied the Pivot Point System in Chicago and changed his school’s name to the well-known “Mario’s Pivot Point School.” He taught and employed hundreds of students and staff throughout his career. Education and upgrading was a constant mainstay for Mario. He was respected, often imitated and loved as a dear friend, teacher and confidante. Many of his students, staff and customers continued to visit him long after his late retirement.

Mario always made his presence felt and he will be dearly missed by his family, friends and customers for his unrelenting free spirit, enthusiastic love of life and warm animated conversations.

Mario will always be lovingly remembered by his wife of 39 years, Maria, and their sons Pedro and Terrance; and also by his surviving children from his prior marriage, sons Mario, Jr. (Camensita), David and Stephen; daughters, Tamara (Luis), Linda Rivera, Susan (Marc) Hebert, Lisa Rivera and Jane Rivera. He is survived by his sister Adelaida Olsen, 20 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one son, three sisters and three brothers.

Respecting Mario’s wishes, visitation will be from 2 – 5pm on Monday April 25 at J.A. Snow Funeral home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. Funeral service will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1725 Oxford Street, Halifax on April 26 at 2pm. In Mario’s memory donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The family express sincere thanks to Dr. Couture and the dedicated staff on the 4th floor at Arborstone Enhanced Care for the excellent care given to Mario. Please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com

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