Obituary of Mario Gagliardi

Mario Gagliardi, 82, of Oak Ridge, NJ, passed away on July 11, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Mario was born in Aprigliano, Italy in 1939.  He lived in Italy until he was 16 years old and that is when he moved to Toulouse, France.  In France, he worked as a truck driver and a lumberjack.  When he was 24 years old he went to visit his brother Luigi in Jersey City, NJ  where he met the love of his life Josephine.  From then on his American Dream began to unfold.  Three months after meeting, Mario and Josephine married, eleven months later their first child was born.

Throughout the years he owned many pizzerias but his love and legacy was Mario’s Pizza in Oak Ridge.  You would find him happily whistling, rolling the dough and making his famous sauces.  Most of all, he enjoyed talking to all his loyal customers.  He was the first person to offer help to literally anyone who needed it.  Upon his “retirement” he enjoyed spending time in Florida, riding his bike, endless walks, playing scoba with anyone who didn’t catch him cheating and standing outside the pizzeria waving to anyone that passed by.  He also enjoyed a good cuppa coff, a crispy sfogliatella and butter pecan ice cream.

 He is survived by his adoring wife Josephine, his children, Pamela Alheidt and husband Richard, Mary Jean Hollenstein and husband Bob, Donna Gagliardi and Mario Gagliardi and wife Sharon.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Mikayla and husband Quinn, Dominic, Emilio, Adrianna, Gabriella, Matthew, Robert, Mario Jr, Maria, Gianna and Angelina.  Great Grandson Gavin Gene.  He is also survived by his brother Salvatore Gagliardi and many other loving family members.  He is predeceased by his father Pasquale, mother Palma, brothers Luigi and Silvio.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 15, 2022  from 4 to 8 pm at M. John Scanlan Funeral Home – 781 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.  Mass will be on Saturday, July 16, 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit R.C. Church , 318 Newark-Pompton Turnpike, Pequannock, NJ 07440.

The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Compassionate Care Hospice, The American Heart Association, The Alzheimer’s Association or the Milton First Aid Squad.