In Lieu of Flowers, Donations May Be made in Mario's Name To:

St. Jude Children's Hospital

OR

Shriners Children's

Mario Bona, 100 years old, of New Hyde Park, New York passed away on April 28, 2026. He was born on December 7, 1925 in Carniglia, Parma Italy to Luigi and Maria Bona. He grew up on a farm and served in the Italian Army during World War II. In the early 1950s he emigrated to Montreal, Canada where he worked in construction and welding. During that time in Canada Mario returned to Italy in December, 1955 for several weeks to marry his love, Giuliana Ghilardi on January 8, 1956. While he returned to Canada, his wife had to remain in Italy for a year until she got her immigration papers. They both worked hard and had their first child, Anna, in April, 1958. In June, 1960, Mario, wife, and child migrated to Jackson Heights, New York. Upon arriving in New York, Mario worked as a waiter at The Plaza Hotel for 11 years and subsequently as a carpenter for the New York City MTA, retiring in 1992.They remained in Jackson Heights for 28 years where they had three more daughters. In that time there, they lived a happy, quiet life raising their children. He instilled in his children Catholic values and morals, as well as a strong work ethic and the value of a good Catholic school education. Mario was very strict but very loving and selfless. He was always there for his family. Mario and family moved to New Hyde Park in October, 1988. During his retirement, he enjoyed growing vegetables, wine-making, going to church regularly, and doing home repairs for his home as well as his neighbours and daughters. He is survived by his wife, Giuliana; his four daughters, Anna Pace and husband Joseph, Linda D’Angelo and husband Mark, Joann Bona-Collins and husband Bill, and Sandra Ferraro; his youngest sibling, Domenic Bona; eight grandchildren Alexandria Kress and her husband Michael, JonPaul Pace and his wife Guergina, Sophia and Olivia D’Angelo, Julianna and Joseph Cervoni, and Nicole and Victoria Ferraro in addition to two great-grandsons, Leonardo and Harrison Kress. He is predeceased by his son, Louis Bona and his siblings Maria, Julia, Lena, Lodovico, and Luigi. Mario left an indelible mark on his family who will honor and cherish his legacy.