Father Mario Joseph Tizziani

Father Mario Joseph Tizziani, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Carmel Manor in Ft. Thomas, KY. 

He was born April 8, 1954, in Steubenville, OH to Lino John and Catherine Gabriel Tizziani.  A 1972 graduate of Toronto High School in Toronto, OH, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy, then later graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.  He spent fifteen years teaching elementary, middle and high school in Jacksonville, FL, where he was named Regional Teacher of the Year in 1999.  Later, he pursued a doctorate degree in history from his beloved Ohio State University.  On June 23, 2006, he was ordained as a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Covington, KY. 

Father Mario was installed as Pastor of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Independence, KY on August 10, 2008.  In 2015, he received the Distinguished Pastor Award from the National Catholic Educational Association.  From 2016 to the present, he was a Chaplain for the State of Kentucky Knights of Columbus.  On July 10, 2017, he led in the groundbreaking of a $5.5 million expansion including a gymnasium at St. Cecilia Catholic School until it’s completion in 2019.  In October of 2018, under his leadership, St. Cecilia School was named a Blue Ribbon School.  Toronto High School named him a Distinguished Alumni in September of 2019.  Father Mario was also instrumental in the success of St. Cecilia’s annual Labor Day Festivals during his tenure. Father Mario was also a member of the Toronto American Legion Post #86.

His father, Lino John Tizziani, nephew, Jason Joseph Motto, brother-in-law, Tom Anderson, and uncle, Gino Tizziani, all preceded him in death.  Those left to carry on his legacy include his mother, Catherine Gabriel Tizziani of the Laurels in Steubenville, OH; sisters, Gina (Joe) Motto and Esther Anderson of Toronto, OH; brothers, Dan (Maggie) Tizziani of Toronto, OH and Anthony (Lisa) Tiziani of Conklin, NY; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  Father Mario also leaves behind his beloved cat, “Miss Kitty”, his “kids” at St. Cecilia School, and the parishioners at St. Cecilia, who were part of his extended family. 

A Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be held Saturday, January 2 at 10 AM at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Toronto, OH. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 AM until time of the Mass. Fr. Thomas Vennitti and Fr. John Miller will co-celebrate and burial will follow in the Toronto Union Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be presented at the cemetery by the US Navy and the Toronto American Legion.

Local arrangements are in the care of the J.E. Foster Funeral Home in Toronto. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Cecilia School and St. Cecilia Catholic Church 5313 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051. Please follow Covid-19 social distancing guidelines and face masks are required.