Mario Santa Colombo – Monessen

Mario Santa Colombo, 89, of Monessen, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020, in Monongahela Valley Hospital. Mario was born in Monessen, on May 13, 1930, a son of the late Nunzio and Julia Ceci Columbus Santa Colombo. Mr. Colombo was a graduate of Monessen High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He honorably served his country for over 30 years in the United States Army Reserves as a master sergeant of the 4th Platoon, 429th Engineers Division. He had owned and operated several businesses in the Mon Valley area over the years, including the 10th Street Sunoco Station in Donora, the Bar 20 and 3rd Street Mobil Station, both of Monessen. He had also worked at the Ford Garage, Datis Brothers, Gibson Chevy Garage, Irwin Works, and the McKelvy Pontiac Garage. Mr. Colombo ultimately became an educator in vocational studies and retired as the administrator of the Mon Valley Area Vocational Technical School, which is now Mon Valley CTC in Speers. Mr. Colombo was a member of the following: Westmoreland County Coaches Association, Washington County Councilors Association and a life member of the Monessen Elks BPOE No. 773, P.A.S.R. Retired Teachers, Vocational Fraternity Iota Lambda Sigma, Monessen Zoning Board, past president AVTS Teachers Association, past president of Monessen Teachers Credit Union, Board of Directors of the Retired Enlisted Men Association and had served as the equipment manager of Monessen Greyhound Football for numerous years. He was an avid Monessen Greyhound fan. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy “Toots” Pinasko Santa Colombo; sons, Julius and wife Penny Santa Colombo, Mark Santa Colombo and Mario Santa Colombo Jr. and wife Anne Marie Sinatra; grandsons, Ryan Santa Colombo and Mario Santa Colombo III; a great-grandchild, Declan Santa Colombo; his sister, Louise Sweda; and brother, Nunzio Santa Colombo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Also surviving are his three special friends; Larry “Dobie” Aldrich, Billy Clark and Michael Moorer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Columbus. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC., 1209 Grand Blvd., Monessen, where friends will be welcomed on Friday, May 15, 2020, from 9 to 11 a.m., the time of service, with Father Michael J. Crookston officiating. In keeping within compliances set forth by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 25 visitors may be in the funeral home at one given time. We ask everyone’s cooperation in being understanding, practicing social distancing, wearing face masks and limiting your visit to five minutes or less. Online condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.rhomefuneralhome.com.