Mario P. DeBellis, 89, of New Smyrna Beach, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2011. He was born on March 25, 1921 in New Britain, Connecticut to Emilio and Mary Grace (Nargi) DeBellis. Mario was a manufacturer of Italian Cheeses with Sam Maulucci&Sons of Hartford, Connecticut, and Bloomfield Middle School Custodian in Connecticut. He was a communicant at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Oxford, Ct. He was a Hero of World War II,an active Service Member from November 1942 to December 1945, He belonged to the 83rd Infantry Division of U.S. Army. Demolition Specialist 533, Sharpshooter Rifle. He was in the Battle for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe. Mario received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. He is survived by his sister Grace R. (DeBellis, Fragione) Virelli, formerly of Hartford, now of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, wife of Frank Virelli Jr. ; nieces Penelope ( Maulucci) La Casse, wife of Ronald La Casse, of East Hartland, Ct., Phyllis ( Maulucci) Nelson, wife of Andy Nelson III of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Rosemary (Maulucci) Poitras, wife of Dennis Poitras,Rosemary (Fragione) Bousquet, wife of Joseph Bousquet of Beverly Hills, Florida; nephews, Albert V.Fragione Jr., husband of Donna (Bormann) Fragione of Naples, Florida, Carmine R. Fragione of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Allan Maulucci, husband of Cheryl Maulucci of East Hartford, Connecticut, Sebastian Maulucci, husband of Jane Maulucci. Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Bousquet of Dumont, New Jersey, Albert V. Fragione III, of Naples, Florida. 7 great nieces, 13 great nephews and many loving cousins, the Sheas, Nargis, Grimaldis, Rivers, and many long time friends. Mario is predeceased by his mother , Mary Grace ( Nargi) DeBellis, originally from Naples, Italy, long time resident of Hartford, Connecticut, father, Emilio DeBellis, originally from Frosinone, Italy, long time resident of Hartford, Connecticut, a baker for First National Stores; sister, Anna (DeBellis) Maulucci, wife of Sam Maulucci, of Hartford, Connecticut, also deceased.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 4th, 2011 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, New Smyrna Beach at 10:30 a.m. . Calling hours Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 at Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society , New Smyrna Beach, from 4 to 6pm. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family at Mount Saint Benedict Catholic Cemetary, Bloomfield, Connecticut.
May the comfort from family and friends continue to strengthen you during this difficult time, and may you find comfort in the words found in the last book of the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
May the wonderful memories of your loved one continue to provide a measure of comfort to you--until God's promises are fulfilled Matthew 5:5; Psalms 37:11, 29.
Billy, Patrick, Kelli, Nicholas and I want to express our sincere sympathies on the loss of Mario. Your families have always had and continue to have a special place in our hearts. Please know that we love you and that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mario was a wonderful man and he will be an angel on your shoulders forever.
Love, Maura