Mario Plaza, of Ocala, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14th, 2025, at the age of 96. He was born on January 27th, 1929, in Flower Hospital in New York City to Millicent Bailey and Juan Plaza. He was the third of six children, growing up with his older sister, Virginia, followed by his brother John, then his sisters Elizabeth and Lydia, and his younger brother Everett.

His early life was marked by the absence of his father, placing significant responsibility on his mother. By the age of ten, Mario and his brother John were called upon to contribute to the family's finances. Demonstrating remarkable resilience and maturity, Mario began working with a neighborhood milkman, starting his demanding day at 3:00 a.m. and ensuring he was ready for school by 7:00 a.m.

At the age of twelve, his industrious spirit led him to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he played a role in the war effort by building and painting lifeboats for destroyers. As he grew older, his aspirations expanded, leading him to enlist in the Merchant Marine at seventeen. This afforded him the opportunity for two memorable voyages to Europe, visiting the vibrant cities of Paris and Copenhagen.

In 1948, a new and significant chapter began in Mario's life when he met Hilda Pastor. This encounter marked the end of his Merchant Marine career as his focus shifted towards building a life with Hilda. They worked together in a glove factory. With the desire to provide a stable future for his intended bride, Mario sought more substantial employment. He joined the International Brotherhood of the Ironworkers Union, specifically within the Ornamental Iron Workers shops. He secured a position with one of the largest shops in the country, where he skillfully operated massive break machines. These powerful machines, with the force of 50,000 lbs bearing down, were used to bend metal pieces that were often 20 to 25 feet long and a robust half-inch to three-quarters of an inch thick. As Mario dedicated himself to his work in the iron industry, he steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a Journeyman Ironworker, then a respected Foreman, and ultimately serving as a Shop Steward for his union. He contributed to building the unisphere for the 1964-1965 world fair still standing at Meadow Park Queens, NY and the staircases in NYC World Trade Center.

He and Hilda were united in marriage on September 14th, 1948, and together they raised two sons: Mario Pastor Plaza and David Plaza.

Mario and his family lived in their three-family Bronx home from 1972 to 1995. Upon his retirement in 1995, Mario and Hilda moved to Ocala, Florida, where he had a house built in Marion Oaks. Continuing his passion for building, he constructed a shed out of cinder blocks and, demonstrating his lifelong curiosity and ingenuity, built an observatory on the roof, as he greatly enjoyed astronomy. He was a hardworking man who dedicated himself to providing for his family and his union. He possessed a creative spirit and a knack for building, evident in his unique three-piece boat and the addition he built onto his Bronx home with the help of his two sons, David and Mario. His ingenuity and hands-on abilities were evident in many aspects of his life. His memory will be cherished by his sons, Mario Pastor Plaza and David Plaza; his grandchildren, David Michael Plaza, Eileen Plaza (married to Jeremy Schweitzer), and Christopher Plaza (married to Cecilia); and his great-grandchildren: Tasia Thiaville, Navilee Diamond Plaza, Miguel Schweitzer, Maya Schweitzer, and Mario Emmanuel Plaza. He also has many nephews, nieces, and cousin

He was a quite man who touched many lives by his actions.

A memorial service to celebrate Mario's life will be held on Thursday, April 17th, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society, located at 11250 Southwest 93rd Court Road, Ocala, Florida 34481. The phone number for the funeral home is 877-410-2424.