Ernest Mario
Dr. Ernest Mario, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, passed away peacefully at his son’s home in Durham NC on October 20, 2024, after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He lived at various times in Princeton, NJ; Palo Alto, CA; London, England; Wilmington, NC; Key West, FL; and Kihei, HI (Wailea Point). He was 86.
Married for 59 years to the former Mildred Martha Daume, who passed in 2020, “Pop-Pops” was loved and respected by his surviving family: three sons, Christopher Mario of Key West, FL, Greg Mario (Lauren) of Miami, FL, and Jeremy Mario (Jennifer) of Durham, NC; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many dear nieces, nephews, and great nieces and grand nephews, in addition to his companion, Carolyn Schaefer of Indianapolis, IN.
Born in 1938 in Clifton, New Jersey, to immigrant parents, Ernie was educated in public schools, graduating high school at just 16 years of age before earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy, which in 2001 was renamed the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in his honor. He went on to earn his MS and then his PhD in physical science at the University of Rhode Island. In 2007, he was awarded the Remington Honor Medal, the highest recognition in the pharmaceutical profession. As a teen, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and in 2000 he was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award for his service to youth. Along with his family, philanthropy brought Ernie one of his great joys, especially the creation of the Mario Family Foundation, which aims to support educational and economic opportunities and historic preservation.
Ernie will be remembered by his family and friends not just for his business success, uncompromising integrity, and philanthropic endeavors, but also for his love of family get-togethers, classic Corvettes, sitting on a sunny lanai working the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, getting great deals at Costco, and making enormous pots of his famous spaghetti Bolognese to be shared around a large table. He had formidable card-playing skills, which he continued to display and teach to his grandsons right up until his final weeks. He will be greatly missed.
A public memorial event will take place at the Edith Memorial Chapel at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ, on December 7 at 2 pm. Reception to follow. Please indicate plans to attend by emailing memorial@mariofamily.com.