Mario Ovelar

Mario “Pepo” Ovelar born in Montevideo, Uruguay passed away peacefully on May 24, 2025. Born and raised in the vibrant neighborhoods of Uruguay before moving to the USA in 1987, Pepo carried the warmth of his homeland with him wherever he went.

Pepo was a natural handyman—there wasn’t much he couldn’t build or fix. He took real pride in his work and loved sharing what he knew. Over the years, friends, family, and neighbors all learned from his patient guidance and clever fixes.

But there was more to Pepo than just tools and projects. He was a huge sports fan—cheering for the New York Jets, the Boston Celtics, Club Nacional de Football, and, of course, Uruguay’s national soccer team. He loved late-night poker games with his friends and dreamed of becoming a pilot. If you ever heard the sound of plane engines rumbling through the house at 2 a.m., don’t worry—that was just Mario, fully immersed in his flight simulator, bringing a 747 in for a smooth landing… right in the middle of the night. A perfect example of his endless curiosity and drive to learn new things.

More than anything, Pepo cared deeply about people. He had a natural gift for making everyone feel included and valued—no matter their background or beliefs. He was a “student of life,” always asking thoughtful questions, offering a second opinion...often unsolicited ;)... and lighting up every room with his quick wit and generous laughter. His humor and banter were as integral to him as his bright and spirited personality.

He is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife and life partner of 47 years, Mary; his sons, Mario (and his wife, Katie) and Rafa (and his partner, Sam); his grandchildren, Landon and Ivy; his granddogs, Brooks, Lucy, Flash, and Thanos; his brother, Olfe, and his “favorite sister-in-law,” Silvia; his niece, Florencia (with her partner Diego and their daughter, Guadalupe); his nephew, Seba; his sister, Myriam; his nieces, Gimena and Victoria; and finally, a wide circle of friends (family) and those he loved like nieces and nephews that life gifted him in the USA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mario and Irma and parents-in-law, Carmiña y Ton.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453, on Friday, May 30th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. In honor of Pepo’s vibrant spirit, guests are encouraged to wear jerseys or shirts from his favorite teams—the New York Jets, Boston Celtics, Club Nacional, or Uruguay’s national team—but casual attire is equally welcome. Please refrain from wearing black, as we gather to remember and celebrate the color, warmth, and joy he brought into our lives.

Pepo’s legacy of kindness, curiosity, and laughter lives on in every life he touched. He will be dearly missed, forever celebrated, and never forgotten.

Nacio en Montevideo, Uruguay y en 1987 llega a los Estados Unidos. Pepo siempre orgulloso de sus raices.

Pepo era una persona habilidosa con las manos—no había nada que no pudiera construir o arreglar. Sentía un gran orgullo por su trabajo y le encantaba compartir lo que sabía. A lo largo de los años, amigos, familiares y vecinos aprendieron de su guía paciente y de sus soluciones ingeniosas.

Pepo era mucho más que herramientas y proyectos. Era un fanático del deporte: alentaba con pasión a los New York Jets, los Boston Celtics, el Club Nacional de Football y, por supuesto, a la Selección Uruguaya. Le encantaban las partidas de póker hasta tarde con sus amigos y su sueño haber sido piloto. Si alguna vez escuchaste el sonido de motores de avión retumbando en la casa a las 2 de la mañana, no te asustes—era Mario, completamente metido en su simulador de vuelo, aterrizando un 747 con total precisión… en pleno corazón de la madrugada. Una muestra perfecta de su curiosidad infinita y su deseo constante de aprender cosas nuevas.

Por sobre todo, Pepo tenía un amor inmenso por las personas. Tenía ese don natural de hacer sentir a todos incluidos y valorados—sin importar su origen o creencias. Era un verdadero “estudiante de la vida”, siempre haciendo preguntas profundas, ofreciendo una segunda opinión… muchas veces sin que se la pidieran ;)… y llenando cualquier lugar con su agudeza y su risa generosa. Su humor y su picardía eran tan parte de él como su espíritu alegre y luminoso.

Lo recuerdan con amor su compañera de vida por 47 años, Mary; sus hijos, Mario (junto a su esposa Katie) y Rafa (junto a su compañero Sam); sus nietos, Landon e Ivy; sus perri-nietos, Brooks, Lucy, Flash y Thanos; su hermano, Olfe, y su “cuñada favorita”, Silvia; su sobrina Florencia (con su pareja Diego y su hija Guadalupe); su sobrino Seba; su hermana Myriam; sus sobrinas Gimena y Victoria; y, por último, una gran cantidad de amigos (familia) y sobrinos de corazon que la vida le regalo en USA. Fue precedido en la muerte por sus padres, Irma y Mario, y sus suegros, Carmiña y Ton.

Se invita a familiares y amigos a despedir a Pepo en Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453, el viernes 30 de mayo, de 18:00 a 21:00 hs. En homenaje a su espíritu alegre, se alienta a los presentes a vestir camisetas de sus equipos favoritos—los New York Jets, Boston Celtics, el Club Nacional o la Celeste—pero la ropa casual también es más que bienvenida. Les pedimos evitar el color negro, ya que nos reunimos para recordar y celebrar los colores, la calidez y la alegría que Pepo trajo a nuestras vidas.

El legado de Pepo—su bondad, su curiosidad y su risa—vive en cada una de las personas que tuvo la dicha de conocerlo. Lo vamos a extrañar profundamente, lo vamos a celebrar siempre, y nunca lo vamos a olvidar.

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