Rev. Mariano "Mario" Alicea, Sr. passed away on 08 January 2024.

Born 22 October 1940, Rev. Alicea was the son of Jovino Alicea and Francesca Viera . He is survived by his wife Antonia "Toni" Alicea (Ocasio), his son, Mariano Alicea Jr. and his wife Mariann, his son Samuel and his wife Jennifer, his daughter Caroline Burgos and her husband Juan, his grandchildren, Samuel Jr., Hector, Krystal, Lucchese, Sophia, Madison, Eden, Michael, great-grandchild Valentino; and, his siblings Sara Alicea, Edwin Alicea, Angel-Luis Alicea, Teodora Alicea, Joe Alicea, and his nephew Junior Morales, his brothers-in-law Jose Ocasio Sr., Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. and sister-in-law Sara Galafa.

Mario grew up in Naguabo, PR with family whom he loved and respected. As a teen, Mario moved to Newark, NJ where he graduated from Southside High School. He would later return to Puerto Rico to pursue his desire to grow in his faith completing Biblical Studies at Mizpa Bible Institue. Mario would return to the US becoming to pastor the Belmont Ave. Church of God, Brooklyn, NY, along with the Rev. Pedro Ocasio Sr. as his co-pastor. While serving there, he would meet and marry the love of his life, "Toni". They married in May 1964. After welcoming their sons, they moved to Cleveland, TN to attend Lee College (now Lee University). In 1970, their daughter Caroline was born. In 1972, Mario would graduate with a BA in Education and was also ordained as Church of God minister. He and his family relocated to Vineland, NJ where they would raise their family and become a servant-leader across South Jersey communities in education, civic service and ministry. Mario would join the faculty at Vineland High School where he would retire as the Chairman of the English as a Second Language (ESL) department.

Mario had various roles including the Newcomb Hospital Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity of Elmer, NJ, and Cumberland County College of Vineland, NJ. He and his wife served together in several church outreach and new church formations including the Migrant Ministry at Woodstown Baptist Church, and Prison Ministry at Centerton Prison, and planted an outreach church for Ukraine refugees.

He and his family spent time enjoying NJ beaches, crabbing, fishing, camping, and generating life-long memories. Mario deeply loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his wife Toni, their children and extended family, his fellow man, and his countless ESL students. Rev. Alicea was a highly respected and admired man with a heart for evangelism. He is known as a gracious and kind man and a loyal friend. He had an infectious smile, laugh, and sense of humor. Mario treasured spending time outside working on the garden and flower beds with his wife at their Vineland home of over 40 years. Shaping their private oasis for their beloved wildlife friends: songbirds, deer, wild turkeys, and rabbits. He deeply loved his children and grandchildren, seeing each as a blessing from God. He was so proud of each of them and how they each loved the Lord from an early age and became servant-leaders in their chosen field of interest. Mario simply lived every moment pouring his energy and enthusiasm in all he put his hand to, quite simply grateful for the time he had on earth to leave it just a little bit better than when he arrived.

As his wife, I thank Mario for being my soulmate, my best friend, for making me laugh, and for showing me grace and kindness. I was blessed and privileged to share my life with Mario. I'll always love you and until our reunion in Heaven, I will miss you.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 11th at 11:00 am at the Rock of Salvation Church, 513 E. Grape St. Vineland, NJ. Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Wednesday evening, Jan. 10th from 6:00-8:00 pm and again on Thursday morning from 10:00-11:00 am at the Church. Following the service on Thursday, Rev. Mariano will be laid to rest in Siloam Cemetery, Vineland, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.wbfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.