The Durham Region Home Builders' is saddened to announce that Mario Veltri has passed away.  Mario was a lifetime member of the DRHBA, and served as president of the association in 1970 and 1986. 

A highly respected man, both within the home building industry and by his friends and associates, earned his reputation through hard work, dedication and bravery.

"I've known Mario for over 40 years, and Mario ran his home building business like he ran his life, with the highest of integrity, honesty and always wanting to do the right thing for his purchasers and his community," says Peter Saturno, president of Midhaven Homes and past president of DRHBA and OHBA.  "Mario's passing has left a void, not only in his family, but also in the home building family in Durham Region, as well as all of the communities he has contributed to over his life."

Mario Veltri was born in Calabria, Italy in 1932, and immigrated to Canada in 1953.  Upon his arrival in Canada, he obtained employment with the Canadian National Railroad in Manitoba and Halifax. 

Six months later, he moved to Ontario.  When a potential employer refused to hire him, Mario did not get discouraged.  Instead, he picked up a shovel.  His tenacity paid off, and he was the last man hired for the job.

He moved on to Pigott Construction, building the south plant of General Motors of Canada on Park Road.  From there, he worked as labourer for a builder in Scarborough, where he worked his way up to become the superintendent of a building.

He returned to Italy in 1962, where he met and married his wife Anna, and the two returned to make their home in Canada.

He incorporated Marianna (a combination of his wife’s name and his) Developments in 1964 and quickly earned a respected reputation as a builder of fine homes in several communities throughout Durham Region and the surrounding areas.  His scope was not limited to creating high quality residential homes, and he expanded his portfolio to include several high-rise rental and commercial properties.

In 1977, he built the Veltri Complex, which is nine stories high and is situated in the downtown core of Bowmanville; in1992, he developed the Harmony Creek Golf Centre in Oshawa and in 1998, he was a partner in constructing Boundary Mall.

Mario supported many charitable organizations, including local hospitals and the Durham Region Cancer Centre.

Throughout his career, Mario has received many awards honouring his dedication, including the Durham Region Home Builders’ Association (DRHBA) Community Service Award in 1994, and the Business Person of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce in 1993.

Outside of the business world, Mario is known as a dedicated family man.  He was married to his wife, Anna, almost 50 years and had four children, Frank, Nina, Gino and Lisa.  He is also survived by  five grandchildren, Mario Jr., Deanna, Emmalisa, Zachariah and Arianna and one great granddaughter, Eve Francesca.

A private visitation, funeral mass and burial will be held for the immediate family only.  A celebratory mass in Mario's honour will be scheduled at a later date.

The obituary can be found here.