Mario Piña

Mario Pina, also known as “Deacon” in his community, was born on August 21, 1930 in Houston, Tx. He entered in eternal rest on June 30, 2014. Mario helped his Mother with his siblings growing up and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School and earnestly entered the United States Army where he served in the Korean War. He attended 2 years of college and then served as a Federal Employee for the United States Post Office for 40 years, receiving many awards of recognition throughout his career. Mario and his beautiful wife of 61 years raised 9 children together. He is very proud of his efforts to ensure all his children received a Catholic education and attended college. Mario & Patsy received a sacred blessing by Cardinal Dinardo for their countless years of marriage. They were married at St. Patrick Church and attend Annunciation Catholic Church, where they sent 5 children to school, 3 sons to STHS and 3 girls to IWA - Incarnate Word Academy. Mario always greatly valued the dedication and support of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word.

Mario is known to all as a excellent artist and writer with first class penmanship. He always encouraged his family.... his sister-in-law Alice Salazar always comments about the countless letters he advised her to write to meet Elvis - and she was selected in 1954 to meet Elvis. His words of encouragement also helped the Resurrection Catholic School PTO where he was President, and received an Outstanding Leadership Award and the United States Boy Scouts where he was a Scout Leader. Though Mario had little spare time, he made time to attend his children’s after school sporting events and he served the church many decades by working the Bazaars and aided in all fundraisers.

He was also a proud ASTROS fan. Together, Mario and Patsy were proud Spoke-persons for the United Way of Greater Houston-sharing their story and the importance of the United Way to help raise funding for this national, historical organization. This truly represents the caring nature of Mario. He also had a way with words when he spoke, always with a keen sense of humor and wit. He could be speaking to a young man off the street or a CEO of a corporation and they both felt his confidence. Mario will be remembered best by his grandchildren who he shared many stories with and his time. Mario attended all 8 years of Grandparent’s day at St. Anne Catholic school for his grandson Lawrence and all the school Fiestas - to help raise money for the school. He taught them that it is the little actions that matter in life and being rich in spirit is the most important trait and that they can achieve anything in life.

Mario is preceded in death by his parents Maria Luisa Pina & Pedro Garcia Gonzales; brothers Pete and Matthew. He is also preceded in death by his beloved sons Phillip Inez Pina and Adam William Pina. Left to cherish his memories, his wife Pasty Sadie Pina, his Brothers, Albert , Joe and Anselmo - Sisters Sylvia Gonzales, Dolores Valadez. His beloved children Eugene Mendoza-Pina & wife Dalia, Martin Pina & wife Alice, Patsy Marie Huebner, Mario Dean Pina, Lisa Gregory & husband Daniel, Ernestine Pina-Sandoval & husband Larry, Adrian Pina & wife Eydie. He is most proud of his 13 grandchildren - Mark Steven, David Allen, Martin Dion, Sean, Brian, Elizabeth, Eric, Erin, Danielle , Jennifer, Lawrence, Jaquelina, Stephanie and his 15 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from 3pm until 9pm with a Rosary to be recited at 7pm in the Compean Family Chapel. A Funeral Mass officiated by Father Felix is scheduled to begin at 10am on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Annunciation Church. Interment will follow in Houston National Cemetery where Mario will be laid to rest with military honors by the VFW District 4 Ceremonial Team.

In Lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the American Cancer Society.