Mr. Mario N. Vernon

Mario Nicholas Vernon went home to the Lord on September 19 after a long illness. He was 62.

A native New Yorker and later a Hampton resident, Mario was always the contrarian and loved to “stir the pot” in any type of political or social discussion. His great talent was playing football.  He loved the game and received accolades playing defense as a starting safety, earning varsity letters from Cardinal Hayes High School, Bronx N.Y., during the mid-1970s. One season, he garnered the coveted “All-City” title among the best football players in the Bronx. Mario was adept in all sports really, from hockey to basketball to baseball and watched all the games religiously. Other loves he had were going clubbing and dancing, especially at Studio 54.

Mario did not pursue a sports path after high school, instead attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and worked for United Parcel Service. He loved good food and travel, often hightailing it to the beach with his friends, with jaunts to Miami and Virginia Beach. In later years, he relocated to Hampton Roads to be closer to our mother and he shared the last decade or so of his life with Debra, whom he met while working at Jamestown Settlement. In his retirement, he worked as a driver for New Horizons Regional Educational Center. Mario was a fighter, strong kind, generous and wonderful brother and quite spiritual.

The scripture in Joel 2:13, “rend your hearts and not your garments” was one he quoted.  We thank God for the time our family was able to have him and thank God for his life that he enjoyed.  Mario is predeceased by his father Leo M. Vernon and is survived by his mother Ethel M. Vernon of Williamsburg; his sisters Inocencia Brown of New York, Lisa Vernon Sparks of York County and June of California;  his brothers Virgil Vernon of New York, Carlos Vernon of New Jersey, several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, including his companion Debra S. 

Memorial services for Mr. Vernon will be held 2:00p.m. Friday, September 25, 2020 at C. C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc  

It is the desire of the Vernon  family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Mr. Mario N. Vernon has entrusted her final care to the staff of C.C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

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