Mario Puricelli

Mario Puricelli, Jr., of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at his home. He was 84. Mario was born in Barre, Vt., on September 17, 1926, the only son of Mario Puricelli and Margaret (Trione) Puricelli. He graduated from Spaulding High School in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II. He served with the 29th Seabees in the Phillipine Islands and Truk Atoll as a surveyor, and was discharged on July 3, 1946, with the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer. On June 26, 1948, he married Elaine Jones of Northfield, Vt. in Pittsfield, Mass. Mario and Elaine were the parents of five children. Mario graduated from the University of Vermont in 1950. Mario worked for GE for over 20 years in Burlington, Vt.; Evendale, Norwood, and Blue Ash, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; and Hudson Falls and Fort Edward, N.Y. He retired from Sherwood Medical in Argyle, N.Y. In March 2000, he married Jane Walker Bailey.

Mario’s family was always at the center of his life. His children and grandchildren gave him the most joy. He could always be found at a sporting event involving his children or grandchildren. In 2008, he re-located to Raleigh, North Carolina in order to be closer to his beloved grandchildren, Connor and Sarah. All people who knew Mario also recognized his great interest in music, especially Dixieland and Big Band music. Mario was active with the Free and Accepted Masons for many decades.

Mario was predeceased by his oldest son, David; his wife, Jane Bailey Puricelli; and Elaine Jones Puricelli, the mother of his children. He is survived by his children, Stephen Puricelli and his wife, Jorgina, of Orlando, Florida; Thomas Puricelli and his wife, Eileen, of Orlando, Florida; Peter Puricelli and his wife, Mary Ann, of Queensbury, N.Y.; and Mary Golden and her husband, Andrew, of Raleigh, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Connor and Sarah Golden of Raleigh, North Carolina; Nancy Vilander and her husband, Jason, of Queensbury, N.Y.; Kevin Yanulavich and his wife, Christi, of Henderson, Nevada; and his great-grandchildren, Natalie and Nathan Vilander of Queensbury, N.Y. Mario is also survived by his sister, Aida Zuanich, of Stafford. Virginia, and several nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 4:30pm Wednesday in the Wynne Center at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home St. Mary’s Street. The family will receive friends at 4:00 pm prior to the service.

Condolences may be sent to www.brownwynne.com