Mario Ottaviano
Mario Ottaviano, 91, passed away peacefully with his loving family around him on October 27, 2024. Mario was born on June 5, 1933, in Stamford, Connecticut. He grew up on Wright Street and lived in Stamford for fifty-seven years. His parents, Giovanni Ottaviano and Elena Boccuzzi, emigrated from San Mango sul Calore, Italy before he was born.
Mario’s father died when he was seventeen leaving him to provide for his mother and sister. After graduating from both JM Wright Technical School and Stamford High School, Mario attended and graduated top of his class from the RCA Institute. A wizard with electronics, he started his own business and for twenty-seven years, owned and operated Economy TV, a television and audio sales and service company.
He received a BS in Business from the University of Connecticut and later acquired a Connecticut real estate broker’s license as well as a graduate certificate from the University of Georgia’s Real Estate Management program, and an ICSC Shopping Center Manager CSM degree. A natural entrepreneur, Mario founded and operated the commercial real estate firm Ottaviano Associates that owned properties around Stamford. He also partnered with Michael Tehrani to form Ottaviano and Tehrani Real Estate Development & Management where they owned and maintained properties in Stamford and in Bristol, CT. Mario’s business acumen and astute knowledge of engineering, architecture, and electronics as well as his creativity with design, made him a visionary developer and builder. He could also fix anything. With his keen eye for craftmanship, he oversaw the restoration of two historic family homes.
An avid boater, Mario and his beloved wife Marilyn enjoyed living by the water in Westport for thirty years where they hosted countless family events including many July 4th parties that featured Mario’s famous custom fireworks. A life enthusiast with many interests including squash, handball, skiing, square-dancing, and attending theater performances, Mario loved to bike with his children and grandchildren. Neighbors could spot him on his motorized trike with its license plate: The Road King.
A lifelong Beatles and Willie Nelson fan, he was an excellent musician and played both the guitar and ukulele. He also had a green thumb in the garden and loved canning and labeling his roasted garlic and peppers “Mario’s Own.” One of his favorite things to do was take photos and videos of his family and friends and turn them into movies for all to enjoy. His technical prowess editing in Windows Movie Maker was second to none, and he loved dabbling in graphic design. A modern-day Renaissance Man, Mario was also a ringleader in planning vacations, and loved ones fondly remember the ski trips to Vermont and summers spent on Fire Island. For the last eighteen years, Mario was a dynamic member of the Westport Y’s Men’s Club and established an extensive circle of friends. There, he spearheaded the Cooking Club and was a member of the Hiker’s Club, and the Classical Music Society, among others.
Mario was a man of great integrity, compassion, and kindness, an outstanding father, and a father-figure to many. Family and friends frequently sought his wisdom and advice on all subjects including health and medicine. He touched the lives of virtually everyone who knew him and he was widely loved in return.
His family meant everything to him and came above all else. He is pre-deceased by his sister Angelina Concetta Lionetti and is survived by his wife of 66 years Marilyn Lovallo Ottaviano and their four devoted children: Susan Ottaviano of New York City, John Ottaviano (Cindy Swisher Ottaviano) of Stamford, CT, Christy Ottaviano (Kevin Ohe) of Fairfield, CT, and David Ottaviano (Jessica Bruck) of Albuquerque, NM, and seven grandchildren: Casey Ottaviano, Francis Ohe, Vincent Ohe, Henry Boone, Craig Ottaviano, Elena Ohe, and Antonia Ottaviano.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place on November 30th, 10:30am at Harbor Lights restaurant, 82 Seaview Avenue, Norwalk, CT. All family and friends are welcome. Remembrances can be shared in the memory book on the Cognetta Funeral Home website at www.cognetta.com. The interment will be handled privately.