Mario DiPaolo, 91, of West Hartford, CT, formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed peacefully away at 11:35 PM on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Brookdale Senior Community, West Hartford, CT with his dear friend, Chris at his side under the care of the staff and Vitas Hospice.

Mario was born on August 15, 1925 in Torricella, Italy. Mario was the son of the late Diodato and Antonina (Piccoli) DiPaolo.

Mario was a graduate of Follansbee High School and Bethany College. He served in the United States Army as a Private First Class during World War II overseas in Central Europe. Mario retired from the Department of Defense as a clothing researcher and designer. Being in a devout member of the Catholic Church, Mario attended numerous churches around the country, Italy, and St. Anthony Catholic Church. He was President of the Little Theatre of Alexandria, VA, President of the Beethoven Society which provided scholarships, a member of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, and received the Community Service Award for leadership and service contributions to the community from the Alumni Association of Bethany College. Many will remember Mario for his strong faith, being a person that cared for his community and others, but most of all for being a friend to everyone he met.

In addition to his parents, Mario was preceded in death by a brother, Pietro DiPaolo and a sister, Angelina Barchiesi.

Mario is survived by a sister, Maggie DiBello of Surprise, AZ, a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nephews and nieces and dear friends and companions, Chris Macey of Bloomfield, CT and Marie Valente of Philadelphia, PA.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 PM with Vigil Service at 5:00 PM at the James Funeral Home, Follansbee, WV (304) 527-1717, where funeral will commence on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 10:30 AM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1017 Jefferson Street, Follansbee, WV with Father Thomas R. Gallagher, presiding.

Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Follansbee, WV with Military Honors by the WV Army National Guard and the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad.

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