Mario Fumoso

Mario Fumoso, 95, of Chincoteague Island, VA, passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2024, in Virginia Beach, VA. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Mario was born on June 24, 1929 in Sicily, Italy. He came to America in the early 1950s and joined the American Army. He started work as a cement mason and served during the Korean War. Mario met his wife Phyllis and together they had three daughters. Mario was a self-taught bench jeweler and watchmaker. He opened his own jewelry store, Michael’s Jewelry, Inc., in Bronx, NY, in 1964. After retiring in 2000, he and his wife Phyllis moved to Kerhonkson, NY. There, he spent his time taking care of his vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Many family memories were made on that farm with his grandchildren and family, riding tractors and celebrating family events. Mario was an avid hunter and enjoyed traveling out west to hunt larger game. In 2013, Mario and Phyllis moved to Chincoteague to continue the family business. Many will remember Mario as the watch and clock man at Michael’s Jewelry, he worked on clocks and watches until his final days. Michael’s Jewelry continues the legacy he started, now run by his daughters Barbara and Lynne and granddaughter Amanda. Mario enjoyed to travel, loved to listen to Tina Turner, and enjoyed talking to everyone whom he encountered, he enjoyed his life to the fullest and made the best of his time here.

Mario is predeceased by his wife, Phyllis Fumoso, both parents and two siblings. Mario is survived by four children, Linda Booth (Elaine Kirsch) of NJ, Donna Fumoso (Olafur Thordarson) of NY, Barbara Milyko of Chincoteague, VA, and Lynne Ballerini of Chincoteague, VA; 10 grandchildren, Harley Rose and Jessey Kolinsky, Christopher, Gregory and Kara Booth, Lilja Olafsdottir, Erica Milyko-Lamay, Joseph and Louie Milyko and Amanda Savage; four great-grandchildren Dominic, Ayden, and Stella Lamay, and Ryan Milyko; three siblings, Helen Criscione, Silvana Macaronio, and Victor Fumoso along with several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Salyer Funeral Home on Chincoteague, VA, with Pastor Kevin Stanley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the charity of your choice. Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague, VA . Condolences may be given online at www.salyerfh.com.

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