Mr. Mario Fumoso, 95, of Chincoteague Island, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2024, in Virginia Beach. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Mario was born on June 24, 1929, in Sicily, Italy. He came to America in the early 1950s and joined the American Army. He started work as a cement mason and served during the Korean War.
Mario met Phyllis, who would become his wife, and together they had three daughters.
Mario was a self-taught bench jeweler and watchmaker. He opened his own jewelry store, Michael’s Jewelry, Inc., in Bronx, N.Y., in 1964. After retiring in 2000, he and his wife, Phyllis, moved to Kerhonkson, N.Y. There, he spent his time taking care of his vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Many family memories were made on that farm with his grandchildren and family, riding tractors and celebrating family events. Mario was an avid hunter and enjoyed traveling out West to hunt larger game.
In 2013, Mario and Phyllis moved to Chincoteague to continue the family business. Many will remember Mario as the watch and clock man at Michael’s Jewelry — he worked on clocks and watches until his final days. Michael’s Jewelry continues the legacy he started, now run by his daughters, Barbara and Lynne, and granddaughter, Amanda. Mario enjoyed traveling, loved to listen to Tina Turner, and enjoyed talking to everyone whom he encountered. He enjoyed his life to the fullest and made the best of his time here.
Mario was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis Fumoso, both parents, and two siblings.
Mario is survived by four children, Linda Booth (Elaine Kirsch), of New Jersey, Donna Fumoso (Olafur Thordarson), of New York, Barbara Milyko, of Chincoteague, and Lynne Ballerini, of Chincoteague; 10 grandchildren, Harley Rose and Jessey Kolinsky, Christopher, Gregory and Kara Booth, Lilja Olafsdottir, Erica Milyko-Lamay, Joseph and Louie Milyko, and Amanda Savage; four great-grandchildren, Dominic, Ayden, and Stella Lamay and Ryan Milyko; and three siblings, Helen Criscione, Silvana Macaronio, and Victor Fumoso, along with several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, at 3 p.m. at Salyer Funeral Home on Chincoteague with Pastor Kevin Stanley officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the charity of your choice. Services were entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague. Condolences may be given online at www.salyerfh.com
