Mario "Buzz" Anthony Buzzelli

Mario Anthony Buzzelli, affectionately called “Buzzy”, of Havelock, passed away peacefully February 28, 2016, at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern, NC, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary V. Buzzelli of Havelock, NC; his daughter Nancy and husband Jesse Lilley of Greenville, NC; his son Phillip Buzzelli of Havelock, NC; granddaughters Mary Lauren of Seattle, WA, Carol Lilley of Greenville, NC, Nadia Mullin and husband, Mike, of Rochester, New York, and Allison Buzzelli of Columbus, Ohio; two great grandchildren, Caleb and Aurora Mullin, and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was born in Akron, Ohio, on May 28, 1922, to the late Anthony and Emidia Buzzelli.  Mario was preceded in death by his daughter, Janis Lynn, a sister, Gilda Petraca, and brothers Ralph and Steve Buzzelli, all of Akron.  He attended North High School in Akron and enlisted into the Marine Corps shortly after Pearl Harbor.  Mario and his wife were married at St. Martha’s Church in Akron, OH, and were to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary July 20.

During the 22 years he served in the Marines he was an aviation mechanic, crew chief, gunner on PBJ Mitchell Bombers in the Solomon Islands from 1942-1945, and during the remaining years up to his retirement in 1965 a crew chief and maintenance chief in other squadrons.  Mario seemed to always discover someone he knew from the past no matter where he journeyed. His travels were extensive around the world, and he always enjoyed conversing with others coupled with his upbeat ad bubbly personality.

As a young man, Mario loved golf and worked as a caddy at Silver Lake CC in Akron, Ohio. After retiring from the Marine Corps, his dream came to fruition as he began his golf pro career at Anderson CC in Anderson, SC, working towards becoming a Class A member of the PGA.  He accomplished this in 1967 when he was hired for the head pro position at Boscobel CC near Clemson, S.C.  Mario also served as the head professional at Carolina Pines G&CC in Havelock from 1969-70 and as the head professional at Morehead City CC in Morehead City, NC, 1974-1984.  From 1984-1999 Mario greatly supported and worked for his son Phillip at several country clubs where Phillip served as a head golf professional.  He was a granted Life Membership in the PGA of America having served 50 years as a PGA Golf Professional.  Some of his best tournament feats as an amateur in golf were at Kaneohe, HA, and Cherry Point, NC, when he won many, many tournaments.

Mario was a faithful husband, a loving father, and a great friend to all who knew him with being a blessing to all.  He never met a stranger, had a great sense of humor, and was able to make anyone laugh.  He was loved greatly by his family, and “Buzzy” will be greatly missed. Mario was an avid Ohio State and Cleveland Cavalier’s fan as well as a “jitterbug” dancer winning at the Hollywood Palladium in California among many other venues in his early years.  His Italian heritage was shown in his love for music and laughter.  “Grandpa” also loved his grandchildren dearly and read to them tenderly with animated expression.  He converted his backyard shed to a playschool, yard to an activity center from swings to gymnastics bar, and family cookouts were the norm with gramps as the “Chef”.

Having traveled the world as a Marine and as a golf professional, Mario was always very grateful for his good fortune, and he would share many happy memories around family and friends with his gift of storytelling.  Mario was a life-long member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Havelock, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale St. Memphis, TN 38105. He affectionately showed his love for family, friends, and children from making and donating wooden toys to fixing anything given to him that was not working.

Services will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church in Havelock, N. C., on Saturday, March 12, at 11:00 am immediately followed with a military memorial salute.  There will be a visitation meet and greet starting at 10 am preceding the service for all.