Victor J. Mari, actor, church lector

Victor J. Mari, an amateur actor and photographer and a lector at St. Mary’s Church, died Thursday, Nov. 30, at home in Ridgefield after an extended illness. He was 70, and the husband of Rose J. Lener Mari.
Mr. Mari was born on March 10, 1930, in New York City, a son of the late Henry and Lena Giannuzzi Mari.
He served with the U.S. Army.
For almost 40 years, Mr. Mari was a sales representative for various uniform manufacturers in the New York area. He retired in 1996.
A Ridgefield resident for six and a half years, Mr. Mari lived previously in Astoria, Queens.
He was a member and lector at St. Mary’s Church in Ridgefield and former longtime member of St. Francis Assisi Church in Queens.
He was a member of the Italian American Mutual Aid Society in Ridgefield and the Marquette Council Knights of Columbus in Ridgefield.
Mr. Mari was active in the Ridgefield Theater Barn. He performed in numerous productions, and will be remembered by many Ridgefielders as the Cowardly Lion in its production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
He was also an avid photographer, a member of the Candlewood Camera Club, and the winner of several amateur awards for his work.
Besides his wife, survivors include two daughters: Ellen Mari of Fresh Meadows, N.Y. and Angela Loweth of Ridgefield. Two grandchildren also survive.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday at St. Mary’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends were received Saturday at the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street.
Contributions in Mr. Mari’s memory may be made to the Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield, CT 06877.