January 30, 1939 – October 14, 2017

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mario Luciano Covaceuszach on October 14th 2017. Mario is survived by his loving wife Alba of 51 years and their three children Robert (Gail), Joanna (Art McDonald) and Gino (Carolina), as well as their grandchildren, Jonah, Brittany, Kiara, Emma, Grace, Kate, and Josef. He is also survived by his siblings Bruno, Danilo (Rita), and Paola Simoncig of Stregna Italy, also his sister in law Ivanka of Grimsby, Ontario. He will also be forever remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his brothers Gino and Elio, parents Guiseppe and Maria Covaceuszach, and brother-in-law Mario Simoncig of Italy.
Mario was born in Berda di Prepotto in Udine, Italy, on January 30, 1939. By the young age of 21 he was already working with a construction crew in Frankfurt Germany. A year later he decided to join his brothers Elio, Bruno, and Danilo in Canada. He worked in many small sawmills in the interior of British Columbia, including those in 100 Mile House, Clearwater, and even as far north as Prince George.
In 1965 he settled in Kamloops where he began working at Balco Forest Products loading lumber into boxcars. That same year he met the love of his life Alba, through a mutual family friend. A short time later they were married on April 30, 1966, thus beginning 51 memorable years together. Mario and Alba eventually expanded their family to include three children, as well as seven grand-children. Mario always put his family first, which encouraged him to seize the opportunity of having a steady job with the City of Kamloops in 1975. He started working as a well-respected custodian responsible for many buildings, including the Kamloops Museum and Kamloops Art Gallery, up until his retirement in 2003 where he was acknowledged for his outstanding work.
Mario was an avid hunter and fisher, which was a hobby he excelled at. He thoroughly enjoyed the rugged outdoors and all the wonders that the Canadian wilderness had to offer. However, he let his hobby subside when he discovered one of his most intense passions, which was gardening. Mario researched many different ways to grow almost every type of fruit and vegetable that could possibly be grown in our climate. He also enjoyed growing grapes, making Italian wine the old-fashioned way, and carrying on his family tradition of making delicious sausages for his loved ones to enjoy. His superb gardening skills led him to be an integral part of the Kamloops Farmers market for almost 20 years, a past-time he enjoyed very much. In addition to gardening, Mario also enjoyed the company of his close family and especially loved having meals together that were almost always finished off with his wife’s homemade apple pie. He always had a big smile on his face when his children and grandchildren were in his home.
Mario fought a courageous battle with cancer for the past three years, where he received very good care from the health care workers in our community. A special thank you to Dr. Hollman and staff, to the doctors and nurses at Royal Inland Hospital, the BC Cancer Agency, the Kidney Clinic at RIH, and the community service workers and nurses that tended to him on regular basis and made many weekly visits to his home for his ongoing care. 
Mario’s passing has left a tremendous void in our lives, but we all take solace in knowing he is at peace and is experiencing joy beyond belief being with our Creator. “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller
Prayers will be recited on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. The Reverend Father Paul Simms will celebrate the Funeral Mass in the church on Saturday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. A Private family entombment will follow at Sage Valley Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, Mario has asked that donations be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help School since it has been a major part of his children and grandchildren’s lives. Please make cheques payable to OLPH School at 235 Poplar Street.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
 

• Date : 2017-10-14
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.