Rev. Mario J. Gazzilli, Jr. Frankfort - Rev. Mario J. Gazzilli, Jr., 71, of 306 S. Frankfort St. went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 in St. Joseph's Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in Ilion on March 5, 1945, the son of the late Mario and Catherine "Carrie" "Grizzuto" Grates Gazzilli. He attended Frankfort Schools and graduated from Frankfort-Schuyler High School with the class 1964. He later attended the Culinary Institute, Poughkeepsie, NY graduating in 1965. Mario married the love of his life, Joan Shaw on May 29, 1965 in St. Mary's Church. He worked as a chef in local restaurants in the Utica area, and as the proprietor of his own restaurant Mario's on Main St. in Frankfort. As a teenager, Mario joined the bugle section of the Star Lighters Drum and Bugle Corps, Frankfort. This was a very special time in his life. In later years, he became a member of the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corp. He enjoyed sharing all the good memories and friendships made over the years. He received his Associates Degree in Science from SUNY Saratoga in 2002. In 1985, Mario had the call of the Lord and was appointed as a part-time Minister in the United Methodist Church. In 1986, he was appointed to the Full Time Ministry where he served as a Pastor in the churches located in North Columbia/Columbia Center, Beaver Falls/Naumburg, Dexter/Brownville and Earlville/Poolville before retiring in 2010 after 25 years of service. He attended Westley Theological Seminary, Washington DC and was ordained on June 1, 2003. Mario received the "Denman Evangelism Award" in 1988 for his commitment and effort to evangelize for Christ. He enjoyed being a part of the Walk to Emmaus, especially on teams. Some of his favorite pastimes were spent wood working, weaving, fishing, playing the mandolin and cooking, all of which he shared with his family. Mario is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Gazzilli; one son and daughter in law, Mario and Melanie Gazzilli of Ilion; one daughter and son-in-law, Maria and David McConnell of Athens, AL; three grandchildren, Andrew McConnell, Mario A. Gazzilli and Angela Gazzilli; one sister, Carol Jean Crimmins of Frankfort; his nephew, Jerry Crimmins; his niece, Gina Crimmins Paoni and his in laws, Sylvia and Dick Zeidner. Remembering too the very special friends who were a part of his life. His funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 10:15 AM from the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc., 203 Second Ave. Frankfort and at 11:00 AM in Morning Star Ministries with Rev. Robert Wollaber, officiating. Spring interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, January 9th from 4-8 PM in the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc. Thanks for the memories Mario, keep smiling that beautiful smile, you will always be a part of all of us and you will live on in our hearts. Mario's family would like to thank the Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital's Dialysis Team and the doctors and nurses of St Joseph's Hospital for the wonderful care shown to him. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Mario's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com