September 27, 1927 – October 22, 2020

Mario John Calise, 93, of Aston Twp., died October 22, 2020 at Crozer Keystone Hospice at Taylor Hospital.  Born and raised in Chester, he was the son of the late John "Jack the Barber" and Maria Migliaccio Calise and moved to his late residence in 1969.

Mario was a graduate of Chester High School, class of 1944 and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.  He served in the US Army for two years immediately following the end of WWII as a Paratrooper in the 82nd and the 501st Airborne Divisions.  Mario was a self-employed Music Teacher for 43 years, teaching piano and accordion and played the accordion in multiple music bands, including the Army Band.  He was a member and played with the Accordion Pops Orchestra, established in 1970 under Daniel Desiderio, with members from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and performed for great audiences, including the Kimmel Center of Philadelphia and the New York Academy of Music.  Mario worked at the Navy Shipyard and Westinghouse before retiring in 1992. He was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church and loved hunting with his father and brother, Anthony John.  Mario enjoyed crabbing with Pasquale, Anthony John and Mary.  He and his brothers, Anthony, Pasquale and Vincent were inseparable and rich in culture and tradition.  Mario faithfully attended the Malvern Men's Retreat House every year in December with the men in his family.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 69 years, Marion S. Miller Calise, who died February 20, 2018; his brother, Pasquale Calise, who was adopted by Mario's parents before Mario was born; his stepbrother, Vincent DiCarlantonio; his younger brother, Anthony Calise, who tragically passed at the age of nine and their mother died one year later from cancer; and his stepmother, Maria DiGiulio DiCarlantonio Calise .

Mario is survived by his children, Mary Calise Block (Brian) of Lancaster, Anne Calise Nelson of Aston, Teresa Calise Zebley (Tom) of Aston, John M. Calise of Brookhaven and Anthony M. Calise (Suzanne) of Aston; 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter; his brother, Anthony John Calise, of Collegeville; and the children of his late cousin, Anthony P. Coppa.

Funeral Mass:  10:30 AM Saturday, October 31, 2020 at St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, 430 Valleybrook Road, Glen Mills, PA 19342, where relatives and friends may call from 9:15-10:15 AM.

Burial:  St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery