Mario E. Cecchetti

Mario Eugene Cecchetti died Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Gadsden, Ala. Mario was born Aug. 11, 1927, in Arnold, Westmoreland County, to Frank and Linda (Buonapane) Cecchetti. Mario graduated from Arnold High School on May 8, 1945. When growing up, his greatest wish was to become a Marine. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduation and served during World War II and the Korean War. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1967-1968. After serving 26 years in the Corps, he retired in July of 1971 as a captain. He was very proud of his service to his country. In August of 1971, he was hired to teach at Westmoreland County Community College in the Computer Technology Program. While teaching, he also achieved an associate degree from Penn State, a bachelor's degree from Point Park, his master's from the University of Pittsburgh and a Certificate of Advanced Studies also from Pitt. He taught for 33 years at WCCC, retiring as a professor in 2004. He was honored for service and dedication with the status of Professor Emeritus in 2009. Mario was a lifelong member of MOAA, where he served as the vice president of the Greensburg unit until he moved to Allegheny Township in 1997. He was also a life member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. More than anything else, Mario loved spending time with his family, especially at the beach. Mario loved being in the sun and spent many hours working on his beautiful tan. He was a lifelong Steelers fan and an avid bowler in the Mt. St. Peter Catholic Church league for many years. Perhaps because he was such a good bowler, he was also a crack player at Corn Hole; he was so good at swishing that bean bag through the hole that you wouldn't want him as your opponent. He also golfed often with his brother-in-law, Dario Massarelli, friend and neighbor, Lou Feroce, and many other friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Elmo, Alfred, Eugene and Richard; his sister, Ilma Marletti; his daughter, Diane Stewart; former wife, Darlene Iverson; brother-in-law, Paul Popovich; former brother-in-law and friend, Larry Tipton; friend and fellow teacher, Paul Bazzano; and many others. He will be reunited with them in heaven, along with his faithful companion, Skipper, his little Norwich terrier. He is survived by his wife, B. Teresa Cecchetti; sisters, Gloria (Dario) Massarelli and Virginia (Paul) Popovich; daughter, Merle (Ken) Truver; son, Jon (Regan Campbell) Cecchetti; son, Dag (Dawn Beebe) Cecchetti; stepchildren, Lara (Brad) Knight and Christopher (Dawn Barclay) Townsend; grandchildren, Justin Stewart, Amy Stewart and James Stewart, Sean (Maria Jarosh) Truver and Chad (Alexa) Truver, Clayton Cecchetti, Sam (Maddie) Cecchetti, Victoria Cecchetti, Jake Campbell and Keeleigh Cecchetti, Rowan Thistle, Cassie Barclay, Brad (Jenna) Knight III, Liam Knight and Eve Knight; and great-grands, Tyler Stewart, Sydney Stewart and Greyson Stewart and coming soon, baby great-grandchild Knight; and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the GIUNTA-BERTUCCI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1509 Fifth Ave., Arnold, JohnPaul Bertucci, owner/supervisor. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068, followed by military honors. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. St. Peter Church. To leave an online condolence, visit www.giunta-bertucci.com.

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