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Condolences:
Nick Isabella
My condolences Mario
John and Michelle Tiliakos
We were so sorry to hear of Mario passing . He was a wonderful friend to our family. We will always treasure our good times together. Mario was so wise beyond his years and he acomplished so many things.Mario was a true gentleman and a great friend who will always remain in our hearts and mind.We all loved him so much and felt he was part of our family.He will be missed by many.May Marios memorylive on in our hearts.
Grace Kilpatrick
To my Uncle. I will forever hear you calling me niece. Boy was I in trouble if you said Grace. You helped me learn to love to cook and how important it was to open a bottle of wine the right way and to pour without a drip. The bear I drew for you all those years ago with your face expression. I can hear you say to me, "Are you making fun of Uncle Mario?" Well that bear hung in the wine cabinet all those years in your office. We found it still hanging in the cabinet after all these years. It will now hang in my house, so I can tell the story of you to my grandkids one day. That is the uncle I will deeply miss and remember. Love forever Neice.
Mary Beth Story and Family
We have had the honor of knowing Mario and his family since Pompeo's Restaurant first opened in downtown Fernandina Beach, FL. We dined at Pompeo's until Mario retired and sold the restaurant. This was our all time favorite Italian restaurant. May Mario's eternal memory live on in our hearts!
Mary Martha Hayes
So sorry to hear of your loss. May God wrap his arms around each of you and comfort you in this time.
Margo Story
My sincere condolences to the family, May the perpetual light shine upon Mario.
Mario Pompeo Manganaro, I.
2025-12-14
Mario Pompeo Manganaro, I, 75, of Fernandina Beach passed away Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Mario was born in Naples, Italy and was a son of the late Antonio and Rosa Manganaro. He immigrated to the United States when he was in his early 20’s. He made his home in Pennsylvania until he came to Fernandina Beach in the mid 1980’s.
Mario, along with his wife Rose, was the owner and chef of Pompeo’s Italian restaurant in downtown Fernandina Beach begin his career as a cook and chef when he was 12 years old in his native Italy. He worked making pizza as a youngster and eventually worked his way into the owner and chef of his highly successful restaurant in Fernandina Beach. Mario is remembered as an exceptional chef who worked hard and found success. Whether it was cooking, eating or just talking about food, he truly enjoyed all things “food”.
In his personal life he was kind and loving with his family. Mario genuinely loved his life. He worked hard to earn his U. S. citizenship and was very proud of that accomplishment. He did what he wanted to do and lived his life to the fullest. It was said of him, he lived his life in his own unique way. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved his dog, Elish.
He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Rose Manganaro of Fernandina Beach; his children, Ashley Manganaro, Mario Pompeo Manganaro, II, and Angela Manganaro, all of Fernandina Beach; his brothers, Genaro and Cicero Manganaro, both of Pennsylvania; a sister, Rosalia Orlando of Italy and a granddaughter, Aurora Primo of Fernandina Beach.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM until the hour of the service.
He will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery.
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