Obituary of Mario Thomas Panza

Mario Thomas Panza was born on August 8, 1965, in Monroe, Michigan. He was one of seven children born from the union of Chester Severo and Doris Marie (Smith) Panza. Mario was educated through the Southgate Educational System where he attended Southgate Anderson High School.

On July 8, 1989, Mario married the love of his life, the former, Lori Lynn York. Together the couple raise three wonderful children.   Mario was an extremely hard worker and talented in his trade.   To provide for his family he worked in the construction industry as a laborer and bricklayer.   Mario was a member of Laborers Local 1191 and Bricklayers Local 2.   He spent much of his career as a Superintendent at the Mid-American Gunite company.   His career would span thirty years retiring in 2011.  

Mario spent his formative years between Southgate and Monroe gaining many lifelong friends.   His sense of humor was a light in any room and his outlook on life encouraged others to love one another and take pride in who you are.  

He made the most of his time and stayed very active.   Mario loved music and motorcycles, playing hockey and softball, hunting and golf.   He cherished every relationship made on his journey and he took pride in keeping up with those he formed friendships with. He loved his Harley Davidson Motorcycle and his 1979 Z-28 Camaro, that he kept better than showroom clean, finer than the day it was built.   Mario was very competitive, not only in his younger years, but also well into adulthood where he would continue to play hockey, basketball, and softball. He also was a member of Team Brewza, participating in a bowling league at Cherry Hill Lanes with family.    

Mario was a devout family man, proud to be a husband to his best friend, Lori and overjoyed to be a father not only to his children but to his bonus children he gained along the way (Chad and Jeffery Hipkins, Cody Jondro). Mario made it a point to push them all to be their best. There was nothing in this world that he would not do for his family.   In fact, the word “no” never entered his vocabulary.    

Mario had a passion for travel.   He relished being in nature and appreciated United States history. It gave him great joy to work hard so he could afford to take his family places around the country that were rich in history. He always made sure to map out the closest golf course to their destination or a place to ride his bike alongside his big buddy Lee Roseland.

Mario Thomas Panza, age 57, of Monroe, passed away on Sunday; August 28, 2022, at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital after a valiant two year battle with cancer.   His passing was preceded by his parents; two nephews:  Dylan Panza and James Paz; two sisters:  Lucille "Becky" Franco; sister: Cynthia Hammac; one brother:  Michael Panza; one great niece: Sadie Gutierrez.

To cherish his memory, he leaves his loving wife of thirty-three years:  Lori Lynn Panza; three children:  Ryan (Whitney) York, Alicia Panza, Mario Panza II all of Newport; three brothers: James (Julie) Panza and Gino (Diane) Panza both of Newport, and Chester (Patricia) Panza of Monroe; six grandchildren: Lucas Robinson, Sophia York, Elijah York, Kevin Panza, Korah Jacobs, and Nevaeh Fore.

Friends may gather on Tuesday; September 6, 2022, from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will take place at 11:00am on Wednesday; September 7, 2022 also at Merkle’s with Pastor Rex Jones officiating.   A procession to Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery will immediately follow.

Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.