Member Highlight:
Mario L. Montagnino
Mario was born in Marrero, Louisiana on December 19 to parents who had both immigrated to the United States from Alia, Sicily in the 1950s. Mario has an older brother and an older sister.
Mario's role model is his dad, who came to this country with nothing and did not speak English. He taught himself to read and write English and through hard work and sacrifice he built a very successful business.
Mario graduated from Brother Martin High School and from Louisiana State University. He used to run the family business, a property management company that his father started.
Mario is married to Kelly, a stay-at-home mom. They have been married for 21 years and have two children, Mia and Matthew.
What are some of your favorite activities and hobbies?
Mario completed the inaugural Iron Man New Orleans in 70.3 in 2010. He also has competed in several triathlons and road cycling races. He was an avid cyclist who rode his bike over 100 miles per week before work.
Mario had a massive hemorrhagic stroke in 2014. He spent 4 weeks in ICU and 2 months in Touro rehab. He initially could not speak or use his left leg at all. He is still in therapy and working hard to regain more function, and he has come so far.
His dream for his life is to regain the use of his left arm and to ride a road bike on the levee again.
What are some of your favorite foods, music, and movies?
Mario’s favorite movie is Revenge of the Sith. His favorite food is sushi, and his musical tastes include Ozzy, Guns N Roses, and Smashing Pumpkins.
His pet peeves are when people say they want to flip a house and Parmesan cheese.
What do you love about LFUCC?
Mario's favorite thing about LFUCC are the members. The Montagnino family as been at LFUCC since 2010. Mario’s favorite music at church are Christmas hymns.
Visit us at 135 Sauve Road to learn more about Colleen and all of our amazing congregation members!