Mr. Mario D. Ursino, age 84, died Tuesday afternoon in Medford at the Brighten Nursing Center after a lengthy illness. Mario was born in Boston and was the son of the late Francesca (Tiralongo) & Joseph Ursino. A Medford resident for the last 55 years, he was formerly of the West End of Boston.
Mario was an electrician by trade and worked for over 25 years for the MBTA as an inspector. He retired in 1986 and most enjoyed traveling with his beloved wife Maria (Baffo) Ursino, who he has been married to for the last 58 years. Mario was also very proud of his time he spent with the US Navy. Serving during World War II, from January, 1943 to November,1945 he was an electrician´s mate. Mario served onboard the USS Denebola, USS Pudmont and finally the USS YMS 478. The YMS 478 had a crew of 29 enlisted men and 4 officers. YMS was a brand new ship, commissioned in August, 1944. Her first voyage after inspection and training was to Pearl Harbor for more training. Moving westward the YMS 478 was headed to Iwo Jima to participate in the assualt and occupation. The crew and ship survived and moved on to Guam for some R & R. Moving on to Okinawa the YMS participated in air attacks at night. In August, 1945 after returning from a trip the crew heard that Japan accepted the allied conditions of surrender. On September 18, 1945, in Wakanoura, the YMS ran aground during a typhoon and was lost. Two sailers lives were lost and in the ensuing days the YMS 478 was salvaged and destroyed. In November, 1945 Mario was Honorably discharged from the US Navy.
Mario was the beloved husband of Maria (Baffo) Ursino. Devoted father of Fran Ciszek and her husband Frank of Atlanta and loving grandfather of Jacquelyn Ciszek, also of Atlanta.
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD, Friday at 8 AM. Followed by a funeral mass celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with entombment at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, Malden.
As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions may be made in Mario´s name to the Asera Care Hospice, 40 Washington St., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.