Mario Evangelist

On Friday, March 26, 2021 Mario Evangelist Jr. beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and uncle passed away. He was born to Mario Sr and Anna on February 17, 1934. He graduated from Northeast High School. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia (nee Young) whom he was married to since May 8, 1954. Together he and Pat had five children, Diane Grimmie (John, predeceased), Mario, Mark (Carole), Michael (Michele), and Matthew, predeceased (Karen). He also had 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Growing up, Mario played many sports in where he competed in football, fencing and rowing where he helped Northeast High School win a championship. He also tried out for Basketball, however it he did not make the team. Although it took a future hall of fame player from making the team. He attended Drexel University in the evenings where he was able to attain his degree in Engineering. He eventually held multiple degrees in engineering. He started his career working for the city of Philadelphia planning commission. However, he soon left that job and pursued his passion in education. He spent 35 years as a teacher at Bok High School teaching mechanical drawing and Drafting. In addition to his years at Bok, he also taught at Spring Garden College, Temple University and in the later years of his career taught at Engineering and Science High School and Mastbaum Area Vocational High School. He also served as the baseball coach at Bok High School as well as at Simpson Playground where he and his family were involved in youth programs. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Phillies. He used to work at Connie Mack Stadium during baseball season. He enjoyed going to Clearwater, Florida after he retired to watch the Phillies spring training. While working for the city planning commission, he also played on their softball team. His biggest passion was his family whom he adored. He spent summers in Avalon, New Jersey with his kids and grandchildren. Throughout the year, he worked hard on creating annual calendars for all of his family and friends and included everyone's birthday and wedding anniversary. He would make his own cards for special occasions like birthday and anniversaries. His calendars and cards were a labor of love for him and he shared his plethora of "pop-pop jokes" and other riddles for the recipients of these calendars to figure out. And true to his roots as an educator he never gave away the answers, but he would help you figure out how to solve the problems/riddles. He will be missed by his family and friends.Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Wednesday, March 31st 2021, from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM in St. Martin of Tours Church, 5450 E. Roosevelt Boulevard, Phila., PA 19124. (We are using the upper church, so please park in the church parking lot located behind the church). Mass will begin 10:30 AM and his interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice and Mario's family would love for you to share your fondest memories of him at phillyfunerals.com current obituaries section. Arrangements by McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals and Cremations of Torresdale Avenue, John Barnes Supervisor, 215-333-0500