Mario F. Guidone, 82, of 11 Maturo Dr., East Haven, entered into rest on June 17 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford. Mario was born in New Haven on Jan. 25, 1932, to the late A. George Guidone and Concetta Cordano Guidone Bonessi.

He was the loving and beloved husband of the late Josephine M. Salzo Guidone for fifty-four years, the devoted and cherished father of Douglas, Gregg, and Marc Guidone, and Gina Simoes, and the adoring grandfather of Stephen Anthony Simoes, all of East Haven. He is also survived by a brother, Robert (Betty) Guidone, of New Port Richey, Florida (formerly of Northford), and a nephew, Wayne (Sonia) Guidone, of Branford, and other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his stepmother, Carmel Guidone, and brothers Alphonse Guidone, Jr., and Richard Guidone.

Mario served his country faithfully in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. He went on to become a chef and assistant manager at the former Henry’s Restaurant in New Haven, and later worked as an automobile salesman for the former Cooley Chevrolet from 1964 until his retirement from McDermott Chevrolet in 2005. He had so many loyal and satisfied customers throughout his career. He received the Chevrolet Legion of Leaders Award, the Man-of-the-Year Award in used car and truck sales, and was a member of the Chevrolet Hall of Honor.

His family was his life, and he loved them and was always there to offer whatever help and support he could. He will be greatly missed, but always remembered, by those who knew him and loved him. Thank you to the staff at the Connecticut Hospice, as well as the staff at Yale-New Haven Hospital St. Raphael Campus in the MICU and 4th Floor Celentano Building, who cared for Mario toward the end of his life.

His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., June 21 at 9:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Vincent de Paul’s Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow in East Lawn Cemetery. The visiting hours will be June 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. For an online obituary, please visit www.northhavenfuneral.com.