Beloved husband of Augusta. Loving father of Colette Ragen, and Juliet Brown (Steve). PopPop of Jennifer (Paul), Michael (Ashley), Mark, Justin and Keith. Great PopPop of Aiden and Mikey. Mario Ferrara was an exceptionally joyful man with an endless sense of gratitude for life. Simple pleasures  brought him happiness - his wife Augusta's  legendary Italian cooking, bragging about his daughters and their families, a successful game of solitaire, a World Cup soccer game, time at the Jersey Shore with family, connecting with his second family in Brazil, showing off his Italian language skills, and sharing wisdom with his grand children and great grandchildren. His stories brought us so much laughter - his time as a paid training partner for boxers, his Army mischief, and his days as a tough South Philly youth. Never more than 130 pounds wet, Mario carried all the might of a proud South Philly Italian, and had a habit of making a fist when he talked about something spirited - a habit that Mario was thrilled to see his newborn great grandson may have inherited as he clenched his fists in his first days. We can only hope that we have all inherited a piece of him. His presence made the world a brighter place. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Wednesday 9 AM at BURNS FUNERAL HOME, 9708 Frankford Ave. Phila., PA 19114 followed by his Service 10 AM. Interment Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Fox Chase Cancer Center,Office of Institutional Advancement, 333 Cottman Ave. Phila., PA 19111 or Click Here to donate online.