Racine – Mario Charles Aiello, age 87, passed away peacefully at Ascension All Saints Hospital on Sunday afternoon, April 15, 2018 surrounded with the love of his family.

Mario was born in Racine on June 27, 1930 to the late Ralph and Mary (nee: Mazzie) Aiello. He was a graduate of Washington Park High School, Chicago Association of the Fine Arts, and of the Wisconsin Barber School. On November 26, 1955 in Holy Name Catholic Church, Mario was united in marriage with Janet (nee: Ludwig). To this union, their seven beautiful daughters were born.

Mario owned & operated Mario's Barber Shop (16 ^th & Center Streets) for over 58 years, retiring in 2012. He also founded Pepi's Deli in 1983 – a Racine tradition that continues today. Mario was a lifetime member of Saint Lucy Catholic Church, where he was a devoted volunteer in so many ways. He was also a proud member of Roma Lodge and of the Wisconsin Barber Apprenticeship Committee. He was a master woodworker & carver and loved to draw, cook and garden. Above all, his family was the center of his world. Mario & Janet always looked forward to their loved ones gathering at their home on Lathrop Avenue year round – every Sunday at 2 pm.

Surviving are his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Janet; their daughters, Nicala Aiello (Alex Trevino, Jr.), Lisa Torano (Jose), Eva Aiello-Larrabee, Anna Aiello, Theresa Rinehart (Matt), Christa Thompsen (Geoff) and Rosemarie Aiello; 15 adored grandchildren; Janette (Johnny) Torano-Folsom, Tony (Cindy), Jessie (Adrian), Mario, Lucia and Juan Carlos Torano, Daniel and April (Andrew) Larrabee, Matthew Rinehart, Nick (Kayla) and Christopher Thompsen, Madeline and Jack Aiello-Kimberlain, Amanda (Tony) Chaudoir and Amalia (Rolando) Morelos; 21 dear great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Fran Aiello; nieces, nephews, cousins, former customers and friends – too numerous to mention by name.

In addition to his parents, Mario was preceded in death by his sister, Carmella Natale; brothers, Alfred (Eve) Aiello and Edward Aiello; Janet's parents, Nick and Rose (nee: Scholzen) Ludwig; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Lawrence (Rae) Ludwig, Dr. Richard Ludwig, Rosemary Ludwig, Mary Elizabeth (Joe) Terselic and Barbara Kelly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:00 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Javier Guativa officiating. Entombment will be at the mausoleum of Holy Cross Cemetery – Highway 32. A memorial luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm and in the church on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 am.

Service Details

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:00 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church , 3101 Drexel Avenue in Racine.

Visitation: in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm and in the church on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 am