Mario Altieri, 77, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Oct. 7 at his home with his loving family by his side after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mario was born in Castel Morrone, Province of Caserta, Italy, on June 20, 1946, to Vincenzo and Marta (Parisi).

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rosa; his daughter Martha and granddaughter Ava of North Haven; and his son Vincenzo of Northborough, Massachusetts. Mario is also survived by his brother Giovanni of Rome, Italy, and his sister Anna Landolfi of Caserta, Italy.

Mario served in the Italian Army as a radar operator prior to immigrating first to Germany and then to the United States in December 1969. He worked for 15 years as a machine operator for Universal Wire in North Haven and then in the distribution department for Medtronic for 20 years. Mario was an extremely proud Italian and very well-versed in all Italian history and literature. He enjoyed reading the paper, going to the beach, and spending time with his family. He was most proud of the fact that both his children were college graduates and would tell anyone about his daughter, who had a degree in biology, and his son, who had a degree in chemistry. But the one person who made him smile the most was his beloved granddaughter Ava, with whom he played endless amounts of hide and seek; he really was the best Nonno.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Armand Russo, Dr. Joseph Kim, and nurse Amy Vollono of Smilow Cancer Center in North Haven for their considerate and compassionate care.

Family and friends were invited to go directly to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Barnabas Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven, to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Nov. 12. A Committal Service immediately followed in All Saints Cemetery. The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.northhavenfuneral.com