As Liz and Angie have noted - our Mam loved to tell us all about Mario, Vittoria and our cousins. I remember one particular story that really made her giggle. It was when Mario was about 5 years of age and he wanted to go out and play in the snow. Nonna told him 'no' as it was too deep. When Nonna wasn't looking Mario went out and 'yes' the snow was very deep - up to his shoulders. Nonna had to pull him out and scolded him  and whilst our Mam laughed at his antics, her eyes would always light up when she talked about her little brother.

Mam told us about when Mario's ship (yes it was Mario's ship!) docked in Barrow and he came to see her - she was delighted to talk about this - we have the postcard picture.  She talked about Mario and Vittoria with so much love and pride and I could see that she often missed them.

We would often look at photographs and I remember saying that Mario looked like a film star -'Mario Lanza'? - but Mam and I agreed that Mario was far more handsome. The wedding photos - Mario and Lucia - like film stars, beautiful, the photos that followed of our cousins the same and all happy - but the real happy and beautiful we knew came from within which we seen when we in England first met Mario and Anna-Teresa, when Mam and our dearest Anna-Maria went to Canada and met Mario and Lucia again and also our cousins for the first time, the letters over the years and the memories that our Mam shared of you all, are really cherished.

Thank you Maria xxx

A fond memory from Christopher Dixon. When Mario and Anna-Teresa visited England, Chris took great delight in telling his little friends that 'Super Mario' was staying in our home.

A star,  shine bright Great Uncle Mario - Love Chris x

Buona notte, Dio benedica, riposare in pace - Mario.