David and Penny Cefai (Family Friends)

Entered February 8, 2021 from Toronto

Wishing we could be there in person with you during this hard time. We love you.

Paula Brasil (Cousin)

Entered February 8, 2021 from Mississauga

My deepest condolences sending much love and prayers to you Maria and your family. Mario was a great man and he will be surely missed

Paul Gouin (Friend)

Entered February 8, 2021 from Lindsay, Ontario

Rest in eternal peace Mario. My condolences to family and friends of such a big hearted loving guy. You will be missed.

Rael Fisher (Colleague)

Entered February 8, 2021 from Caledon

To Maria, Dylan, Tyler, Sydney and family,

I was deeply saddened to learn of Mario's passing, as are literally hundreds of other people here at RR Donnelley in Canada. On behalf of Mario's entire work family I extend our deepest condolences to you all on this terrible loss. Mario was a very key member of our team, and over the years he made a significant contribution to our customers, employees, and company. He was always willing to help out, maintained a positive attitude and outlook at all times, and related equally as well to employees at all levels across the company. On a more personal note, I greatly enjoyed working with Mario, and will miss him very much. Once again, I'm deeply sorry for your / our loss.

Rael Fisher
President, RR Donnelley Canada

Walter and Filomena Ledo and family (Family friend)

Entered February 8, 2021 from Mississauga

Words can’t describe the sadness I feel for Maria and the kids. Mario was an amazing man and even though I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing his as long as I had hoped the love he has for his family was beautiful. He taught me all about positive thinking and I truly grateful for the gift he shared. He helped me see life in a different light and I have in the n shared that wisdoms with others. The words from your family and loved ones have been beautiful to read and I’m so glad they are sharing what a great man, father, brother, son and super hero you were to all. Rip Mario you will be missed

Mario you were always my protector, I remember when we were kids and if anyone hurt me or looked at me the wrong way you were there to protect me. I know I wasn’t the best sister to you in my younger years. I remember I almost missed your wedding and how many times you came to my rescue when I needed you, you never question me you just helped me and you showed me love. When I was down you picked me up you loved me like no other. I’m forever grateful for you my brother. It took me many years to become the person you always saw in me. I wish this didn’t have to end a peace of my heart has gone with you, but I promise you I will forever live in love and be that light for you always & forever! Your smile always shined up the room I’m going to miss you calling me V, hugs, laughter & your silly dance moves! I know you’ll always be with me because I’ll carry you in my heart and memories forever. RIP my beautiful brother until we meet again love you so much!
Love V

Mario was so many things to so many people…
He was always there when you needed him, whether to lend a hand or provide a shoulder to cry on, he was just always there!
Mario spent so much of his time focusing on his family. He wanted everyone to feel love and to be loved. Mario’s greatest strength was his love of life and family. He beamed positivity on everyone, whether you wanted it or not. He just made the world a better place.
I remember a specific time where I was having a little uncertainty at work, things were not going as well as I would have liked. I just purchased a new house and new car, frankly I was a little scared of the possibility of not being able to deal with these uncertainties. As always, I was speaking to Mario about my fears and he grabbed my hand and looked me straight in the eye and said “ as long as I am here, you will never need or want for anything “ This was one of the most powerful statements that anyone has every said to me, I instantly felt lighter and free of my fears. I knew that I had someone who had my back as I had his…
Mario I am now extending that same powerful message to your beautiful children as you did me, they will never need or want for anything as long as I am here.
Thank you, Mario for preparing me and molding me into the man that I am today. I simply could not have achieved the life I have today without your love, guidance, and respect.
“the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching” Mario exemplified this quote to the fullest.
I love you Mario, you are my best friend!

Baby you are my love and my everything. We had the kind of love that grew stronger with each passing day. I can truly say that I know I was loved by you and I know you felt the same way. In the last couple of months, we shared a lot of stories, cried a lot of tears and told each other how much we love each other. We found each other at the age of 16… we were young and stupid. We got married at 20 (Dylan’s age) how the heck did we make it work?? How the heck did we last 31 years and still want to keep it going for another 30. Love that’s how. The kind of Love you feel in your soul, the kind of love I will never forget. The kind of Love that created 3 amazing kids that will keep your memories alive. The kind of love that got us through some very hard times. The kind of love that just never let us give up on each other. The kind of love that always helped us to forgive each other no matter what. The kind of love that will live forever.
I was always so proud to walk into any room with you. Your smile always lite up the room. No matter where we went you always had that contagious smile on your face and those amazing dancing moves.
My story is when you and I went to my work Christmas Party and everyone was watching us dance. I could tell all the women wanted my dancing partner and all the men wanted dancing lessons from you. Anyway, the following Monday when I went back into work all the women were asking me where did your husband learn to dance? Of course, me being me I said “oh Mario yeah he learned all those moves on stage, he used to be a striper” I said that for shits and giggles and we both laughed about it for a couple days. You wanted to make sure that I set the story straight and told everyone that I was joking. Which of course I did, well maybe.
I will always be proud to call you my husband. Because honestly, I was always so proud to be your wife. We shared a Love that many people never experience. I love you, I love you and I will love you forever. ❤️
He would say this to me almost every day in a Portuguese accent
“I love you Maria Adelaide” and I would reply “ I love Mar-Maunel”

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

This rings true to my beloved uncle Mario. There was never a time he didn’t have a smile on his face, a smile that instantly made me smile. His hugs were the best, like he actually hugged the love into you. Being around him automatically made me feel lighter, happier and loved. How could someone make you feel so loved with just a hug and a smile?!

He was always there not matter what, just knowing that he was there a phone call or text away was all the comfort one could need. As a child, I loved to have sleep overs with him and my Titia Maria. He would blast the music and roll down the windows and we would laugh and sing. He would sleep on the floor of the bed beside me and I once asked him why, he said “I sleep here incase you fall, I will catch you” and he always did.

I have so many wonderful memories of my uncle but the ones I will cherish the most were of him cheering me on, believing in me, pushing me to be the best I could be. He always encouraged me to have no fear... love and light always. I feel eternally grateful for the love he showed me and the relationship we had.

Not a day will go by that I won’t speak your name, tell the kids something you taught me, or play music that reminds me of you and your precious smile that gave me so much comfort and love.

Miss you forever and always, until we meet again Titio Mario

Special K xo

As a child I didn’t fully understand the profound role of a what a ‘godparent’ was. I just always knew I had a ‘padrinho’ and ‘madrinha.’ A godparent is the chosen person or people who is a guide to their godchild, they are the extension of the parents and the ones who have vowed to care for them and protect them as their own. This was my padrinho. He was the man who saw me to the front doors my first day of kindergarten, when my father couldn’t. He was the one who called me ferociously when I was being a rebellious teenager. He was the one who made sure I was being a leader in my life and never a follower.

I was a child who dreamed and some adults usually are dismissive of childish dreams but not my godfather. He always encouraged my writing, he especially loved my poetry and nudged me to follow my heart and fulfill my dreams of becoming a writer. When I had the idea for my first children’s book I went to him right away. I remember telling him there would be no other person in the world I would want to publish (print) my book than him. For weeks we went back and forth making edits as I had hit a bit of a writers block and my padrinho told me that the words didn’t sound like me, he told me to just go back and dig a little deeper and let the inspiration flow. That I did! I self published my first children’s book with my padrinho. I got to share it in elementary schools and women’s shelters, spreading the message of living in your truth (as my godfather so taught me). I’m incredibly grateful we shared in that experience together and that his belief in me never wavered. “Be a leader sunshine, never a follower.” His words that fuelled my belief in myself to do great things in this world.

We never know how one moment, one word, one interaction will altar our life path but these small moments, if we just take the time to be present to them, are the greatest joys we will ever know.

I am honoured to be the goddaughter to two of the greatest humans I have been blessed to know. Padrinho, I know you will be guiding my words from up above. I just wanted to thank you for always showing up for me. I love you. Sleep with the angels sweet man.

Always and Forever, Your Goddaughter Heather