Mario George Giannone, 93, died Sunday, July 2, 2017 at his home in Cortez, CO. He was born in Middlebury, VT on May 26, 1924 the son of Carrado Giannone and Eliza A. Giannone (Vittone). Mario was orphaned at the age of 4. He spent 5 years in St. Josephs Orphanage in Burlington, VT and 4 years in Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, VT. He attended Middlebury High School and then joined the United States Marine Corps were he served in the Asiatic Pacific Area with the 5th Amphibious Corps from December 2, 1943 until December 25, 1945. He was honorably discharged on January 15, 1946 and returned to attend Middlebury College. He joined the United States Air Force on October 2, 1950 and was stationed at Harlingen AFB in Harlingen, TX where he met his wife, Lucille. He was honorably discharged on October 1, 1954 after attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mario and Lucille were married on October 16, 1954. Mario moved from Houston, TX to Cortez, CO in 2004. He was well known in the Cortez Community. He was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, worked at Builders Depot and the South Forty Golf Course. He is survived by: his two sons, Charles Albert (Susan) and Stephen Fredrick (Betty), six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, his Sister-in law, Mary Giannone, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Mario was predeceased in death by his parents, his wife, 3 brothers; 5 sisters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 21, 2017 at St. Marys Catholic Church, 326 College Street, Middlebury. The Rev. Luke Austin will be the celebrant. The family wishes to thank the staff at Southwest Internal Medicine, Southwest Memorial Hospital and Hospice of Montezuma County for the loving care they provided Mario. In lieu of flowers, Mario wishes a contribution to be made to Hospice of Montezuma County (PO Box 740, Cortez, CO 81321) or Kurn Hattin Homes for Children (708 Kurn Hattin Rd, Westminster, VT 05158). Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences to www.sandersonfuneralservice.com SERVICES Funeral Service Friday, July 21, 2017 10:00 AM St. Mary's Church 326 College St Middlebury, VT 05753