Mario Barney Jacinto

Mario Jacinto, age 80, of Imus, Cavite, Philippines, peacefully passed away on October 3, 2022 in Abingdon, Maryland. Born in Imus, Cavite, Philippines, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1966, completing Navy boot camp at NRC San Diego. His first tour as a sailor was with Attack Squadron VA-176. During his 20-year Navy career he proudly served on three aircraft carriers- USS Saratoga, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, and USS Midway, and one frigate, USS Edward McDonnell and U.S. Navy bases in King’s Bay, Jacksonville, Little Creek, Oceana, Guam, Yokosuka, Mayport, and Cecil Field.

Mario loved sports at a young age and tennis was his favorite and passion. He played almost daily, up until his declining health and initial diagnosis in 2021. During his many years in the military, he competed in tennis tournaments that allowed him to travel across the country representing the U.S. Navy. His crowning achievement was being Back-to-Back West Pacific All-Navy Tennis champion while stationed aboard the USS Midway in Yokosuka, Japan.

His love for the sport while serving in the military led him to be the Tennis Pro Shop manager on base at Mayport where he maintained the tennis courts, taught tennis to children and adults and was voted tennis team captain- the only non-officer and Filipino on the team.

In 1986, Mario retired as a Mess Specialist First-Class, and with his wife and children, they returned to the Philippines as their primary residence. During his retirement Mario served as a Roman Catholic Lay Minister at the Imus Cathedral of Our Lady of The Pillar until his passing. He was a member of the Family Life Ministry Program where he and his wife served as Senior Speakers. He was also member of the Lay Ministers Choir. He loved serving his church. During his retirement years, Mario and his wife would regularly travel back to the U.S. to visit their grandkids.

Mario is survived by his wife of 53 years Norma Jacinto; son, Norman Jacinto and wife, Reyna Lyn Sauler Jacinto; daughter, Marivi Jacinto; grandsons, Nicholas Joshua Jacinto, Kyle Mathew Jacinto, Gabriel Gonzalez and Samuel Colin Jacinto; and granddaughters, Caitlin Joy Jacinto and Madison Gonzalez. Mario was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to everyone. He is known for his kindness, generosity, sense of humor, card tricks, love for food and, of course, tennis.