Mario Benito Iacopucci

Scarborough - Mario Benito Iacopucci, 95, passed away on October 23, 2018 at his beloved home in Higgins Beach surrounded by his loving family. The long and rich legacy of Mario Iacopucci began on November 1, 1923 in the Tuscany region of Italy. He was born to the late Silvio and Elide (Bertoncini) Iacopucci. He often reflected back to the days of his youth: running barefoot through the hills of the small village of Fosciandora, helping his family with the daily chores of laundry and farming. The habits he formed in his early life in Italy (actively walking, hard work, and eating from the earth) no doubt contributed to his long life. At the tender age of 8, Mario boarded a ship bound for the United States. He joined his father and other family members in the North End of Boston, a common settling place for Italian Immigrants in 1929. Shortly after he arrived, he and his family moved to Somerville where he spent the rest of his childhood. Across the street from his family's house was the home of the Ross family. He got to know this family well and attended grammar school and high school with his neighbor, Dorothy Ross. Together Mario and Dot, along with the other neighborhood kids, would walk to school. In high school they both worked after school and didn't have a lot of free time to spend together, but Dotty would wait to walk with Mario when going to work every chance she could. Mario graduated from Somerville High School in 1943. Like many Italian-born young men of that day, Mario was a proud Italian-American and when his country needed him he answered the call, joining the United States Army right after high school. He proudly served during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. From Fort Devens to Hawaii to Guam and Saipan, he "travelled the world" and collected many stories that everyone enjoyed hearing (again and again). He was an MP, a translator for the Italian POWs, and a medic. He was very fortunate in that he never really saw combat but he did see the impact it had on the young men who fought. While stationed in Hawaii as a surgical technician he often assisted the physicians in caring for the young soldiers who were injured. When Mario was honorably discharged, he returned home to Somerville where he reconnected with his childhood friend, Dot. One night as Mario was at home sitting on his porch, Dot came by and asked him, "Are you lonesome? Would you like some company?" Mario gladly accepted her offer not knowing at that time that this companionship would last a lifetime. In 1946, Mario respectfully asked Dot's parents if he could have her hand in marriage. After Mario proposed, Dot quickly returned the ring she received from the "other fella" (who never had a chance according to Mario), and married Mario in a beautiful ceremony on September 28, 1947. Mario and Dotty made their home in Reading, Massachusetts where they raised their four children, teaching them the values of being honest, fair, and hardworking. Mario would get up in the wee hours of the morning and drive to Boston to run his family's grocery store, S. Iacopucci & Sons Imported & Domestic Groceries, on 16 Fleet Street in the North End. After a long day's work he would return home for dinner and spend time with his family. He and Dot valued their time together and always made sure they were having fun. After the kids were asleep, Mario and Dot would often dance, have friends over, go tobogganing in the winter, and play badminton in the summer. When asked how Dot and Mario stayed married for 71 years Dotty replied without hesitation that they "never argued and always had fun." When Mario sold his family's grocery store in the late 1970's he went to work for the Reading School Department for the next 14 years. He quickly established himself as one of the most respected, hardworking, and beloved custodians. He took great pride in his work and had the cleanest floors and classrooms in the school. They begged him not to go, but after working hard all his life (since he was able to walk), at the age of 62 he was ready to retire. Mario and Dot sold the family home in Reading and bought their retirement cottage at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, ME. Mario and Dot loved Higgins Beach, a favorite vacation place for the family. When asked "why?" by a local newspaper, Mario's reply was "It's a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the great beach and ocean. We found that it was a safe clean beach for children no matter how small. Our neighbors are great and friendly. Can't beat this healthy clear air we can breathe here at Higgins." After retiring to Higgins Beach, Mario kept busy by building whirligigs for family and friends, working as a local handyman, and being an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. From 2000-2006 Mario and Dot lived with their son Michael and his family in Pelham, NH. The lure of Higgins Beach soon called them back where Mario lived out the rest of his life just like one of his favorites, Frank Sinatra, sang: "My Way." Mario and Dot enjoyed visiting their son Ron and his family in Redondo Beach, CA, especially to escape the New England winters from time to time. The first time they visited CA they drove across country in one of Mario's beloved Cadillacs and got to see so many of the sights that make up America The Beautiful. They had an especially memorable trip with Ron and his family to Hawaii one year, where Mario was allowed to tour the Schofield Army Barracks where he was stationed a half century earlier during WWII. As a member of "The Greatest Generation" they treated him like an honored guest. Being a proud American and Patriot, another special memory was a trip that Mario and Dot took to Washington, D.C. where they got to see all of the national monuments, memorials, the Holocaust Museum, and were able to enjoy a special tour of the White House. One of the biggest highlights of Mario's life was a wonderful trip he and Dot took to Europe. They toured some of the lands of their ancestors including England, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy. One of the most memorable parts of their trip was when they went to the little mountain village of Fosciandora and stayed for a week in the home that Mario was born in and where he spent the first 8 years of his life. It had been 70 years since he had been back and he was surprised and tickled to see an in-ground pool on a property that was once a hard working farm. They enjoyed their time spent in the village where Mario was raised, saw the little church where he was baptized, and visited with childhood friends and family members, including a special visit with his mother's sister (who looked just like his Mom). Wherever Mario and Dot called home they made a lasting and loving impression on all of their children, their grandchildren, their great grandchildren, and all who knew them and were blessed to share their lives with them. All in all, Mario had a full and wonderful life. He surrounded himself with those he loved the most, always nurturing his relationships and having fun. He was a loving husband, remarkable father, and caring grandfather. Mario's legacy will live within everyone who was blessed enough to have him in their life. Mario leaves behind his beloved wife of 71 years, Dorothy Iacopucci of Higgins Beach; children, Ron Iacopucci and wife Valerie of California, Linda Iacopucci of Chelmsford, MA, Leo Iacopucci and Catherine Lorello-Snow of South Portland, and Michael Iacopucci and wife Donna of Belmont, NH; sister, Sylvia Lussier and husband Albert of CT; grandchildren, Jan Marie, Julie and husband Adam, Jessica, Carina, Chelsey, Danny, and Michael; great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Justin, Cameron, and Aurora; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Mario had a unique and special bond with all of his grandchildren. Carina's caring for him in his last few weeks will always be remembered and treasured. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Leo S. Iacopucci. Visiting Hours celebrating Mario's life will be held on Friday October 26, from 4-8PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday October 27, at 11AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29 Ocean House Rd, Cape Elizabeth. Internment with Military Honors will follow at Forest City Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The National Kidney Foundation at https://team.kidney.org/campaign/mario-iacopucci