Mario Oreste Coppola
Dec. 17, 1931 to Dec. 31, 2025
Mario Oreste Coppola, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025, in his cherished home of sixty-five years. Just weeks earlier, he joyfully celebrated his 94th birthday surrounded by his loving family.
Mario was born in Atina, Italy, to Domenico Coppola and Antonietta Sambucci Coppola. He was one of eight siblings and cherished his close-knit family. He is survived by his siblings Alberto Coppola, Nina Funari, and Iole Mazzola, and reunites in peace with his siblings Americo Coppola, Guerino Coppola, Loreto Coppola, and Ilia Nardelli.
In 1953, Mario married his beloved wife, the late Luigia D’Angelo. Shortly thereafter, Luigia immigrated first to the United States. Once able to leave Italy, Mario made his journey to the U.S. to join his wife. For 54 years, they built a life together rooted in family, hard work, and love. They were role models for how to communicate with passion and honesty, how to bring out the best in each other, how to commit yourself completely to the people you love, and how to ensure that your loved ones always know how much they are cherished.
Mario was employed as a union laborer and worked independently after his day job, dedicating himself to finding additional work as a plasterer in order to provide a better life for his family.
Mario and Luigia liked to spend time together in their garden cultivating food for their family and friends. They worked side by side, weeding, watering, and picking vegetables and tomatoes. Year after year, they would harvest their crops together and Mario would make wine -- traditions that filled their home with wonderful aromas, and symbolized hope, love and resilience. The shelves in their basement cantina were always packed with their garden bounty, homemade jugs of wine, and homemade sausages. Their jarred tomatoes would be turned into legendary tomato sauce that they looked forward to sharing with their children, extended family and friends.
Mario grew up in Italy during WWII - from that childhood experience he developed an unwavering, lifelong strength that bolstered him until his final breathes, a deep-rooted confidence, and a natural sense that guided him to do what was right. His harrowing early years also gave him an insight that shaped his entire life - that the greatest joys in life are the simple ones: a warm home with a roaring fire, an abundance of delicious food, and listening to his children’s laughter. Nothing made Mario happier than looking around his table and seeing the happy and healthy faces of everyone he loved gathered together, enjoying homegrown and homemade delicious food & wine together. Everyone felt welcomed, loved and deeply cared for when they were in his home.
Mario leaves behind his devoted children: his daughter, Yolanda Coppola Guardascione, and her husband Guido; his son David Coppola and his wife Debora, with grandchildren Dante (and wife, Deidre) and Bianca; and his son Mark Coppola and his loving partner of sixteen years Kristen Swenson, who developed a very special bond with Mario, with grandchildren Mario and Gia. He was a proud and loving grandfather who found immense joy in his family. He relished having his youngest grandchildren live right upstairs from him.
Mario will be remembered for his smile that lit up his eyes and any room he was in, his work ethic, warmth, strength, generosity and deep devotion to those he loved. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched.
Visiting hours in the Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St, Newton on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 4-8pm and again Friday morning at 9am before proceeding to Our Lady's Church, 573 Washington St, Newton for a 10:30am Funeral Mass. Burial to follow at Newton Cemetery.