Louis A. "Louie" Mari, 86, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Born and educated in Niagara Falls, NY he was the son of the late Charles Mari and Amelia (DiGiorolomo) DiBartolomeis.

In September 1942 he joined the United States Maritime Service and transferred to the United States Merchant Marines in 1943. He was awarded the Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Bar, the Pacific War Zone Bar, the Atlantic War Zone Bar, the Merchant Marine Combat Bar, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and later entered the United States Corps of Engineers Service on the Great Lakes.

In 1948, he joined the United States Army, and served in Germany as a Chief Radio Operator, where received the Occupation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was transferred to Alaska during the Korean War and served as a sergeant for two and a half years before his honorable discharge in 1952.

Louie was a member of the Laborers Local 91 from 1953 until his retirement in 1992. During that time, he was the Secretary-Treasurer for many years and also served as a trustee of the Unemployment Benefit fund, trustee of the Training Fund, and treasurer of the Political Action Fund. He was also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Niagara County Building Trades and served on the board of the Niagara Falls Boy's Club.

He enjoyed basketball, and was a booster of the Niagara University Purple Eagles; rarely missing a game. He also enjoyed watching the Buffalo Sabres, gardening, traveling with his wife, MaryAnne, but most importantly he loved and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Louie enjoyed telling stories of the daring feats of his youth. In particular, how at the age of 10, he fell fifty feet into the lower Niagara Gorge. Although he survived the fall, he was in a coma for many days and suffered a broken arm and fractured skull.

He is survived by his wife MaryAnne (Jakubowski) Mari, and was predeceased by his first wife Edna (Centofanti) Mari; survived by his children Dana (Robert) Fagiani of Wheatfield, NY, and Charles (Denise) Mari of Wappingers Falls, NY; grandchildren Christopher (Kate) Fagiani, Andrea (Jonathan) Gentile. He is also survived by MaryAnne's children Cynthia (Mike) Niezgoda, Christopher (Maria) DeSimone, Claudia DeSimone, Mark (Janelle) DeSimone; grandchildren Christopher, Daniel, Michele, Jillian, Kimberly, Mark; two great-grandsons and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Carmela Mari, Charlotte Zito, Rose Marie Viens, and brother Ronald (Mary of Niagara Falls, NY) DiBartolomeis.

Friends may call Monday 4 – 8 pm at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday November 17th at 10:00 AM at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue Niagara Falls. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment with military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Angels Association PO Box 1918, Niagara University, NY 14109; Roswell Park Alliance Foundation PO Box 631, Buffalo NY 14240; St. Jude Shrine 975 Ridge Rd., Lewiston, NY 14092 or St. Joseph Church Building Restoration Fund.