Mario Joseph DeRosa

Racine- Mario Joseph DeRosa, 70, passed away unexpectedly in Milwaukee at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital on Monday, June 4, 2007. Mario was born in Cosenza, Italy on November 12, 1936 to the late Eugene and Angeline (nee: Ricchio) DeRosa. He lived in Racine since 1945. A graduate of Washington Park High School, he went to further his education at Gateway Technical College. Mario proudly served our Country with the United States Air Force, flying countless missions during the cold war. On April 11, 1959 in St. Edward Catholic Church, he was united in marriage with Shirley Mae Pankow, who preceded him in death on September 28, 1996. On May 19, 2006 in St. Rita Catholic Church, he was united in marriage with Mary Diane Payne. Mario owned and operated Square Deal T.V., located at 2417 Summit Ave., for many years. Prior to his retirement, he was also employed for over 10 years at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center in the Bio-Medical Engineering Department. An accomplished aviator, Mario quite frequently was contracted as a local commercial pilot. In his spare time, he was a self-taught computer specialist and was an amateur licensed Ham Radio operator. Mario enjoyed teaching others about computers and was a patient flight instructor. Above all, his entire family was top priority in life. Surviving are his loving wife, Mary “Dee” of Racine; son, Eugene M. (Lina) DeRosa of Pembine; daughter, Kelly A. DeRosa of Racine; grandchildren, Jill, Jason, Lynnette and Karin DeRosa; three great-grandchildren; brother, Joseph (Carole) DeRosa of New Lennox, IL; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. Mario was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Angeline DeRosa; first wife, Shirley DeRosa; and by his beloved daughter, Karen Lynn DeRosa on April 12, 1995. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 11 am in St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Avenue, with Rev. Jack Shirley, OSM officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Rd., this Wednesday evening from 5-7 pm and in the church on Thursday from 10-11 am. A special note of thanks to the wonderful medical staff of Froedtert Hospital for the compassionate care and support that was so warmly extended to Mario over the years. God bless all of you!