Mario Delisio, 83, passed away on January 19, 2023. He was born in Painesville, Ohio on May 27, 1939 to Michael and Christine Delisio as the first born of two sons. Mario graduated from Harvey High School and then enlisted in the Navy becoming an honors graduate in the U.S. Navy Weather School, Lakehurst New Jersey. He served for four years as a meteorologist in Morocco, the Caribbean, Virginia, and Texas, and his ship was part of the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He then settled in Boise, earning his bachelor’s degree in History from Boise Junior College (now BSU) and master’s degree in Anthropology from Idaho State University.
Mario had over 40 years of experience in archaeology, anthropology, history, geography, meteorology-climatology, and cultural resource studies, plus university teaching and research. His areas of expertise include the prehistory and historic Indian cultures of Idaho and the Americas. He carried out numerous archaeological investigations throughout Idaho, including in Hells Canyon and the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey Natural Area, and of the Maya of the Yucatan and in the Valley of Mexico. Dedicated to his work, he spent nearly 20 years teaching at Boise State University as an Assistant Professor. His other career and hobby interests included leading educational, archeological, anthropological, historical and natural history tours throughout Idaho and the Western United States. He was an experienced writer, wildlife-scenic photographer, and guest speaker. For many years, he passionately shared his knowledge, writing articles for the Idaho Senior News, and giving public talks. He has numerous publications including Chinese in Idaho, Bruneau Sand Dunes, and Oregon and California Trails in Idaho.
He was married to Karen L. Wolfkiel of Council, Idaho from 1964 to 1996 and together they had five children. He is survived by Karen and their children Christopher, Katrina, Angela, and Aaron as well as seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. He is preceded in death by his parents, his oldest daughter Kristina, and grandson Dylan.
Mario will forever be remembered as an Italian full of gusto who had pride in his heritage. He was very social, considered to be charming by many, and loved sharing stories about his countless adventures and travels. He was an avid animal lover and had many pets over the years including dogs and cats, and he cared for the neighborhood squirrels. Memorial donations in Mario’s honor can be made to The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS.org) whose mission is to conserve the world’s largest wild places in 14 regions.
Services will be held at Bowman Funeral Home, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr. Boise ID, 83714 on Friday, February 3, 2023. A viewing will be at 10:00am, followed by an 11:00am funeral service and a 1:00pm graveside military ceremony at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
To watch the funeral service, please visit: https://vimeo.com/795708403