knit family in that small, farming community in rural Italy, and knew he wanted more out of life. He dreamed big. Mario left home at age 14 to spend several years apprenticing at a resort in San Serrano, Italy, where he perfected his culinary skills and refined his legendary charm. Later he joined the Alpini, the elite mountain military corps of the Italian Army. Mario wed his best friend, Angelina Tucci, in their hometown in 1969. With this beautiful, fun and formidable woman by his side, he knew he could pursue the American Dream, and weeks after marrying, they moved to New York to do just that.In 1977, Mario and Angelina began their adventure in Dubuque, opening Mario's Italian Restaurant on Main Street. The restaurant was the epicenter of their family life. Their children, Lidia and Dina, worked alongside them through the years. Mario was so proud of his family, especially his girls, and taught them that every meal should create a memory. His amazing mother instilled in him a belief that family is golden and its worth is priceless. Mario's Italian Restaurant was a gift to the community in that it soon became THE place to celebrate family and love and life. So many memories have been created there, that if the restaurant walls could speak, they would SING!Mario lit up a room with his charismatic smile. He was a man who valued family and connection. Mario had a way of making every stranger he encountered feel like a lifelong friend. His passion for life was unsurpassable. Mario believed in redemption and the ability for an individual to change, and generously provided people with second and third chances. His heart's capacity for compassion was boundless. With Mario, there was always a place at his table; figuratively and literally. He was an optimist, and his outlook on life can best be summed up in the lyrics of his favorite song, O Sole Mio...What a wonderful thing, a sunny day!His last day was sunny and filled with merry memory making. He was the happy Nonno, spending the day by the pool, watching his beloved grandchildren, Gianna, Massimo, Chiara and Magnus, play. He shared his grandson's favorite meal, Poor Man's Soup, for lunch, before heading to the restaurant. He spent the evening on his favorite stool at the bar, greeting Mario's patrons with a look in the eye, a shake of the hand, a kiss on the cheek, and if they were very lucky, a big hug. It's hard to believe he's gone."O sole, o sole mio, Sta 'nfronte a te" Those left to cherish Mario's memory includehis loving wife,
Angelina (Tucci) Bertolini;his daughters,
Lidia Bertolini
and Dina (Ryan) Robinson;his 4 grandchildren,
Gianna, Massimo, Magnus and Chiara;and his siblings,
Gabriel (Luciana) Bertolini,
Elio (Dora) Bertolini,
Gemma D'Annuzio,
Elsila (Vincienco) Gargano;and many nephews and nieces.Mario was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Carmela Bertolini; and his parents-in-law, Fioravante and Lidia Tucci.A Tonio M. "Mario" Bertolini memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among his favorite charities.Mario's family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Finley Hospital, Dr. Markham, Dr. Liaboe, John and Trish, for their kind, compassion and professional care of Mario and his family.
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