Obituary of Mariano L. Cimo

Mariano L. Cimo Mr. Mariano "Mano" L. Cimo, 86, of Rome, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at St. Luke's Hospital, New Hartford. Mariano was born on August 8, 1924 in Rome, N.Y., son of the late Antonio and Nellie Smaldon Cimo. He married Anna V. Maciarello in Italy, then spent the next 50 years bonded in a wonderful, loving marriage where every day was full of joy and unity. As Mano always said, "We're never more than a yard apart." Mano now joins her in heaven. Mariano was a decorated World War II Marine veteran having spent two tours of duty in the Marianas Islands in 1944 in Guam and Bouganville. He was later awarded two Purple Hearts for his courage and military heroics. He worked for the U.S. Government at Griffiss Air Force Base in transportation, having retired after 35 years of service. Mariano spent his life being a role model and leader, and served as an example to everyone who knew him of what it means to be a father, husband and friend. He worshiped and loved his wife every waking moment. Mr. Cimo instilled unparalleled principles of work to his children and stressed the devotion to our Lord and Blessed Virgin along with traditional Catholic values on a daily basis. He was known for his physical strength as well as having been a national pioneer in the sport of weight lifting, garnering numerous awards, including being featured for his lifting prowess in "Ripley's Believe It or Not." Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Anthony R. Cimo and MaryAnn Cimo, of Syracuse, Dr. James M. Cimo, of Rome; and five cherished grandsons, Danté Joseph Cimo, Morgen Edward James Cimo, Vincenzo Mariano Cimo, Francesco Giuseppe Cimo and Giovanni Antonio Cimo. Mariano is also survived by several brothers and sisters-in- law, Frank J. and Marianna Cimo, Stephanie (Fritz) and Paul Ottavio, Joseph (Pep) and Diane Cimo, all of Rome; several nieces and nephews; and a special caring friend and neighbor, Mrs. Dorothy Rundell. He was predeceased by his wife, Anna, an infant brother, Joseph Cimo, a brother, Edward Cimo, and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Connie and Joseph Vaccaro, and Rosemary and Joseph Barbato. Mano will be greatly missed by all of those whose lives he influenced. He truly was "The Man" among men. His family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to Dr. Emile Wassel and Ms. Susanne Walker for their exceptional care and assistance during his courageous battle with kidney disease and dialysis. They also wish to extend a special thank you to the staff of the dialysis units at Rome, Faxton and St. Luke's Hospitals for their compassionate care of Mano. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God Church, 450 Wilkinson Street, Syracuse, NY, where relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Rome. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Mariano's name may be made to the Blessed Virgin Mother of God Academy, 2656 Warners Road, Warners, N.Y. 13164.