MARIO MARCHESE JR.

1/31/26 -- 05/04/2014

Mario Marchese was born in San José, California, but at the passing of his mother when he was only 11 months old, moved with his father and six brothers and sisters to San Diego, where he lived his whole life. He attended San Diego High School, and then served in the navy in the Pacific from 1943 to 1947.

With his wife of 20 years, Wanda Kathryn Fortner, he raised two daughters: Lynell Marchese Zogbo, now living in Ivory Coast and Diana Marchese Anderson, residing in Alpine.

Mario was an aircraft inspector working at General Dynamics in San Diego, Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles and finally at Rohr for 26 years. Upon retirement, Mario was asked to go to Toulouse, France, where he shared his expertise in the aircraft industry. From France he travelled to Africa to visit his daughter and family. At 75, he was able to discover his roots in Italy, certainly the source of his humor and love of life.

Mario—“Phil” to many—loved to dance, go on cruises, and after retiring, golf with his buddies. He was a hard worker and a dedicated family man, especially proud of the home where he resided for 60 years. He is survived by his sister Josephine Brown (soon to turn 99 years old), his two daughters, Lynell and Diana, and their spouses, Georges Zogbo and John Anderson, many loving nephews and nieces, four grandchildren (Jeremy, Micah, Mario and Wané), and five great grandchildren.

Mario, loved by so many, both young and old, passed away peacefully on Sunday May 4^th at age 88. He will be laid to rest Monday, May 12^th at Salli Lynn Chapel, Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, 1 PM.