Mario was a dear friend. We worked together and from our years of close partnership grew a strong bond and friendship. A brotherhood was formed with Mario in the center of this group of extraordinary people. My heart hurts thinking about Irene and Mario Jr. losing Mario. He was a great family man and was very proud of everything they had achieved as a family. I loved the guy, and we were very close. It is a tremendous loss for everyone who loved him and knew him.  May his memory be a blessing forever.  With love, Howard Ackerman

I met Mario once on a business trip to NY over 10 years ago. We immediately hit it off and stayed in weekly contact thereafter until he’s passing. Sometimes in life we run into people with whom  we feel a personal connection beyond the normal . Whether because we both came originally  from Communist countries to freedom in the USA, whether it was our financial background, political thoughts derived from real life experiences, etc., I always felt Mario was my brother. And I miss my brother. A lot.

Dear Ilie Family,

My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

I still can believe it happened, very sadden by the news.

Sending hugs and prayers to you all.

Julie, from the FHB - Construction.

Please accept our condolences on the passing of your dear Mario! We are only blessed with a finite time upon this earth, he was well loved  in his and will be sorely missed. God Bless You and  keep you strong in this time of grief.  

With deepest sympathy,
Ted  & Lynn Miller

Mario provided me with a life changing opportunity and didn’t even know it.  Roughly 13 years ago, while he was at Gibraltar private bank, a family office firm asked him for a referral to a credit repair company.  Fast forward to now, and I’m the credit guru to the stars - in no small part because he introduced me to that world.  I regret that I was never able to tell him how instrumental that one simple referral was.  My condolences to the family, especially Mario Jr. 

Irene. Please accept my most sincere condolences 

A true gentleman mentor and friend. I am so sorry for your immeasurable loss Irene and Ilie family.  I have had so many fond memories I loved hearing Mario callout “ Stuckeee”  I am so thankful to have had that time together.  May he rest in eternal peace.  

Another father figure to all the young guys that looked up to him at nyack field club

Mario....One of the most charismatic men we have ever known. An NFC icon, a gentleman, a man of faith, a loyal friend, a positive force, a theorist, always jovial & witty.....encapsulating all that is good. 
You have left a lasting impression on all of us.  We are grateful to have had the gift of your friendship.
We miss you already.
Rest In Peace "My Man." 
With love,
The Blinn Family
Dennis, Lisa, Olivia, Tara, Kyra, & Emma 

I am so happy that I had the good fortune to meet and immediately love this wonderful caring Soul. It was truly an honor that Mario and I enjoyed a mutual admiration for one another. I shall cherish his memories. 

Marvin Dent

My deepest condolences to Mario's family. His wife Irene and son Mario, daughter-in-law Sarah and grand kids Maddie and Emilia. Your mario was the kindest most thoughtful man I have ever met. He believed in me when no one else did. He truly helped me get back on my feet when I was down and out. Mario was in my corner and helped me fight my way back. I couldn't have ever wished for anyone more supportive and giving than your Mario.  
Mario wasn't a prince of a man, He was a King. 
Rest in Peace Dear friend. 

Te Eubesc, Multimesc,  Danseaza Cu Ingererini. 

I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you’re feeling, losing someone so close is so hard. Nothing I can say will take away the pain you’re experiencing. Just want you to know that I am sharing in your sadness, Mario was a dear friend of mine for many years, it was such a privilege and honor to work with him. May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time.
Maryla Ciechanowicz


Irene/Mario- I’m so sorry. You are in my deep thoughts and prayers. 

“You want to know something, let me tell you something” he would always say. Mario left an indelible mark on my mortgage career but also my life in general. I wasn’t seasoned enough to have my own desk in the bullpen in the back of the office, I was in the business at that time for a hot minute in my 20’s. I sure as heck wasn’t able to sit with Mario and Falci as the FNG….So my spot was next to the receptionist right when you walk in on Mario‘s side of the office. I’d overhear him on the phone speaking to clients. To a young rookie he was the mortgage king. I was eager to learn. Mario was eager to teach. I remember countless hours sitting at his desk with his old school bronze-based lamp at night. Mario in a suit and always dapper shirt and tie combo, me in a baseball cap. Under that light I learned so many things about the mortgage business- about life and Mario’s view of the world. When he invited me to sit with him to discuss the “real money” emails he got for investing, I jumped at it. He would print each one for me and leave them on my desk when they came out. He never missed one. Then we would talk about them at his desk. He would get a client call and I’d pop up to give him space, he always gestured for me to sit- I was there to watch the master at work. I loved those talks.  On my desk today sits a pad “Call Mario” it reads. As I embark on a new chapter of my mortgage career with James I was looking to him for guidance again. 

Mario—my respect and admiration for you never dwindled. You were a man that made an impact on this earth, on me, and so many others.  Thank you for everything. I’m forever grateful for our relationship and will never forget you, your wisdom, but most of all the time we spent together at 142 East 42nd street (or Smith and Wollensky’s in Chicago!). Rest in Peace.  Thx for everything. 

It was an honor and privilege to know and work with such an amazing person for over 20 years. Mario was a gentleman and a scholar and he was invaluable in the mortgage business. He will truly be missed. My deepest condolences to Irene and to the Ilie family. 
May God rest his soul in peace.

Respectfully,

Kerem Buharali
Mortgage Broker/Realtor


Mario will always be remembered as a class act, a true gentleman, exceptional professional, friend and co-worker. He will be greatly missed by everyone who was given the gift of knowing him. 
I had the privilege of working with Mario and will cherish the memories of the times spent.  
My deepest condolences to Irene and family for their loss. RIP. 

This is so heartbreaking, and I am so sad and so sorry for your loss,
May God be with you and the whole family during this time. Mario, my friend, I will miss you dearly and will remember you forever as you were so kind to me when I started out as a young appraiser at Home Savings. It was truly the highlight of my time there to call you a colleague and friend. You gave me great guidance and encouragement through the years, and I will always remember you as a consummate gentleman with a warm smile, a hearty laugh, impeccable attire and a joyful presence to be around. 

Give him eternal rest, O Lord,
and may Your light shine upon him forever.

A true gentleman and one of the best in the industry. He was always teaching - family , mortgages, life, politics and of course the conspiracy theories we always think about when something strange in the world  happens. 

He will be missed 

Dear Irene, Mario Jr. and Family,  

Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. Mario was such a wonderful and amazing man. He was loved by anyone who knew him and will be greatly missed. Im very sorry. 

Sincerely, 
David Glick 

I am so sorry for your loss.  Mario was a great man.  My wife and I had the pleasure of sitting next to Mario and his lovely wife Irene at the last two Diamond Circle award banquets for our bank.  Mario loved giving his wisdom and advice to a young buck (41) like myself, and I always appreciated his eagerness to share his story and laugh with us.  At our last dinner, we learned that my 8 year old son and Mario shared a love for English Premier Soccer, and for the rest of the trip my son kept asking if we could go and talk to Mario as he wanted to learn more about his knowledge and love of Man United.  Mario will be greatly missed by his mortgage family here at the bank.  God bless you and your family and may he rest in Peace with his Lord and Savior.

Dear Irene and Family,
You have my sincere condolences on Mario's sudden passing. As you know all too well, he was such a joyful man. I had the great honor of working with him at Gibraltar and looked forward to his daily emails filled with positive energy. He always had a kind word or pearl of wisdom to share. How lucky we were to have known him.
Rest in peace my friend.
-Dawn Gisle-Bereijo

Dear Irene,

Mario was such an incredible colleague and friend who will be missed dearly. He always had a lesson to share and saw the good in all.  Always enjoyed spending time and seeing you both  together and grateful for our friendship over the years. Keeping you and family in our prayers.  
Fondly, 
Krisann Sutherland

Deeply saddened by this loss, Mario will be greatly missed.

Sending thoughts and prayers. My heartfelt condolences to Mario's family and friends.

Dear Ilie Family, 

My deepest sympathies to you and your family.  Although I never had the chance to meet Mario, we were all teammates in the mortgage division. Sending hugs and prayers to you all.

Lana Alfano
First Horizon Bank
Mortgage Loan Closer
New Iberia, LA

My condolences to his family and loved ones. I am lifting your family up in prayer.

Psalms 27:4


My sincere condolences to Irene and the entire family. I only knew Mario in a professional capacity and for a brief time. Nevertheless, he impacted me with his kind demeanor and readiness to help regardless of the situation. May his memory be a blessing to all of us.
-Nate Vogel 
CrossCountry Mortgage 

Mario will be missed greatly.  A true professional in our mortgage industry.  He always had an engaging perspective and energy.  Rest in Peace Mario.  Much love and condolences to family during this difficult time. 

I am so sorry for the sudden loss of Mario Ilie. I have always enjoyed speaking with Mario a wonderful and well respected professional. My heartfelt prayers and condolences are with the Ilie family. I pray that you feel God love and comfort during this time. 

What a privilege it was to have had the opportunity to work with Mario over a number of years. We were so connected  that it made working with him fun. I know that sometime we will be watching and discussing ManU together again.  May your family take solace in all of the great memories that his friends will always have.

My condolences to the Ilie family. Mario was a kind man with a huge heart.  I feel fortunate to have known and worked with him. He will be missed.  May he rest in peace. 

My heart goes out to the Ilie family. I've had the privilege to work with Mario over the last 5 years. He was the ultimate professional. As great as he was as a Mortgage Originator, he was an even better person.  A true gentleman. He will always be my NY brother. I'll miss him very much. 

My condolences to Irene and the family.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mario once when he visited the MLOC office in Miami Lakes, Florida a few years ago. He sat nearby me and talked to all of us. I remember how he was so kind and polite to us. He had a conversation with us about being positive and thinking big. Do not limit yourself by your thinking and by the words you speak. Also, I will miss his daily emails with inspirational quotes! Thank you, Mario, for having a big impact in my life in such a short time.

May he Rest in Peace.

I am terribly sorry for the bad news
My most sincere condolences to Irene and the rest of the family
Gamel

Sending prayers and my sincerest condolences to the Ilie family. Mario was a kind hearted co-worker, gentleman and loving person. May memories of Mario fill your heart with joy and wonderful times together. May he Rest in Peace.

I am so sorry for your loss. Mario will always be an extremely special person who touched many peoples lives with his kind words and wisdom. Our prayers are with you and your family.

God bless you and your family.

 Your friend,

 Alex Castellanos

My condolences to the Ilie family.  I will always remember Mario Ilie as the ultimate professional and loving human being.🙏❤️

The "Commissioner" is saddened today. RIP Mario

RIP my friend and former colleague. You were always first class, professional and caring to those you worked with and the many you assisted with their home financing over these many years.
As one of your early mentors I am deeply sorrowful at this time. However, I will cherish our friendship and your support for years to come. 
Donna and I send our heartfelt condolences to your family. God bless you.

You were a kind and sweet man. A true professional and class act.  I feel fortunate to have known you.  RIP 

My thoughts are with the entire family and I'm sending my most sincere and heartfelt condolences.

Mario, you will be missed terribly. May God bless and be with  your loved ones in these difficult times. 

We will miss our friend ,God be with him.Please accept our condolences. 

Mario
You have been my brother and best friend for past 34 years. I am heartbroken and will miss you terribly.
My family loves you and we all wish you eternal peace

Nick

Mario, your light will be missed. Sending my deepest condolences during this extremely difficult time. May you rest in eternal peace. 

Mario was like no other, he will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace with love.

OBITUARY

Mario Marian Ilie

August 13, 1959 – May 6, 2023

Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc.

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Funeral Mass Friday St. Constantine & Helen

Burial St. Anthony Cemetery Nanuet, NY