Obituary of Mario Candela

Mario Candela was born on November 30th, 1969, in the town of Torretta, Palermo, Sicilia. He was a devoted son of the late Giuseppe and Vincenza Candela who came to this country in 1973 and settled in Hackensack, NJ. Mario eventually settled in Elmwood Park, NJ. He passed away suddenly on Monday, November 4, 2024, at the age of 54. Mario was the epitome of the American dream as a hardworking immigrant and family provider who had a 26-year career in the Maintenance and Repair Department for the City of Hackensack prior to retiring in 2019. He was a traditional man who embraced his Sicilian heritage and achieved everything he put his mind to, never accepting failure. He started his career at the family business, Candela's Pizzeria, at a very young age, showing pride for his work and sparking his passion for cooking; eventually owning and operating both locations in Lyndhurst and Passaic. He also worked for Sonny & Tony's Pizzeria in Mahwah where he developed lifelong friendships who will remember him for his teasing nature. Mario enjoyed building with his mind and was very hands-on, always with a project in mind. He was a parishioner of St. Francis R. C. Church of Hackensack. Loving father of Joseph, Vincenza and Anthony Mario Candela. Dearest brother of Nicolo Candela and his wife Gina, Calogero Candela and his wife Maddalena, Anna Petersen and her husband Lawrence, Salvatore Candela, Antonio Candela and his wife Natalie and the late Rosario Candela and his surviving wife Michelina. Mario is also survived by his former wife Angela Marie Candela, the mother of his children; as well as 12 loving nieces and nephews and is a granduncle to 7 nieces and nephews. God gave us the privilege of knowing Mario Candela. Mario's life was a testament to resilience, love, and the importance of family. He leaves behind not only a legacy of hard work but also a lasting impression on all who crossed his path. Let us celebrate his life. The Funeral will begin on Monday, November 11th, 2024 at 8:45 AM from the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM at St. Francis R.C. Church, 50 Lodi Street, Hackensack. Entombment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Washington Twp. The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 10th, 2024 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM for visitation at the funeral home. Please consider a donation in memory of Mario to his family, c/o G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Service, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 or to send flower's please contact A/U Flowers 201-342-2195. To send condolences, directions, or for further information visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com