Mario Francisco Cima departed this life Wednesday, November 29 at Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky at the age of 70, with his loving wife of 38 years, Janie Cima, by his side.
Mario was a uniquely special man. He loved life almost as much as he loved people, and he wasn’t shy about sharing that love. Anyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with him was greeted with an earnest smile and a welcome ear.
He had the uncanny gift to make each person he met feel special, as if for the moments they spent together, they were the only two people who existed. He had a truly genuine light about him that will be forever missed.
Mario was a proud graduate of St. Camillus Academy and a member of the All Regional Basketball Team as a high school sophomore. He was a Kentucky Colonel, a life-long Corbin Redhounds fan and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He also worked at U.S. Steel, TruSeal Technologies and played/coached basketball.
Mario was preceded in death by his parents, Armando O. Cima and Jesse Marie (Johnson) Cima; an infant sister, Bernadette Cima; a nephew, Aaron “Hank” Cima; and a grandchild, Dustin Waters.
He is survived by his wife, Janie Cima; his sons, Mario (Cayla) Cima, II, Nicholas Cima (Ashley Caudill), Timothy (Sarah) Waters, Dave (Carrie) Waters; his siblings, Giulio (Tracy) Cima, Julia C. Jones, Michael A. (Robbie) Cima, Maria (Ray) Disney, Gina M. (Dan) Valentine, Gino G. (Laura) Cima, Leonardo “John” Cima, Edmondo O. (Lisa) Cima, Carmen L. (Steve) Bohn-Lein, Armondo O. (Karen), Cima, II, and Jerome F. (Staci) Cima; and grandchildren, Coby Cima, Gavin Cima, Andie Cima, Mason Cima, Jonah Cima, Anna Kate Cima, Megan Childress, Ginger Waters, Hannah Hunley, and Sophia Waters; as well as a host of other nieces, nephews, grandchildren and others who will mourn his passing.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 3 at Hart Funeral Home, 1011 Master Street, Corbin, KY, 40701. Family will be accepted beginning at 5 p.m., with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rosary will be held at 8 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held Monday, December 4 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 703 Master Street, Corbin, KY, 40701 with Father Damian Anumba. Graveside burial services will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
