Mario Petit

“Noi non potremo avere perfetta vita senza amici”

We cannot have a perfect life without friends.

-Dante Alighieri

Mario Petit was a seasoned chef, artist, and restauranteur. He was a mentor to many, an avid reader, and a strong lover of all things of his beloved Fiorentina. He had a heart of gold and shared whatever he had with those around him. He was a light and touched many souls he encountered. Above all, Mario was loved and cherished by many, especially his family, friends, wife, and son.

Mario was born on June 4, 1964, as the youngest of four children to Giorgio Petit and Renza Mainardi. As a mischievous, lanky, and precocious child, Mario is remembered as the younger brother of Carlo, Carla, and Laura, bringing laughter and joy to the Petit family. He was known for his love of reading, sculpting, drawing, and, of course, having a sheepish grin when the siblings and friends were mischievous in their Tuscan abode.

Mario was educated in Florence, attending the Pier Capponi primary school, Lorenzo Il Magnifico for intermediate school, and finally completed secondary education at the Liceo Artistico, a premier institution for artistically gifted young adults. As a young prodigy, Mario was nurtured at Liceo Artistico, which influenced how he understood the historical and cultural context of the value of art in modern society. His high school experience led him to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze (Florence's fine arts academy) in Tuscany on the University of Florence campus. There young Mario refined his creative voice under the landscape of the prolific artists who've walked through the halls, such as Giorgio Vasari, Michelangelo, Benvenuto Cellini, and Medici. Since 1563, the institute has conferred degrees and houses the original David by Michelangelo. Mario not only waltzed the campus but also walked away with an undergraduate degree.

Always creative, Mario transitioned from the fine arts to culinary arts, having worked as an executive chef in, Brazil, Puerto Rico, St. Augustine, and Denver. In Colorado, he met the love of his life, Monica Michelle, and became the proud father of Giorgio David. The international artist and world traveler settled down and became a family man.

The kitchen became Mario's canvas, and he excelled as an executive chef, perfecting the exact blend of spices, flavors, and textures in one meal, often working for several high-end and boutique restaurants, including Denver's finest Parisi. He launched two Tuscan-styled eateries, Mamma Mia and Pasta Pasta Pasta, in Arvada, and Cherry Creek, respectively. Countless chefs, sous chefs, cooks, wait staff, hosts, and hostesses count Mario as a confidant, mentor, and teacher. Fondly, many call him a friend.

Mario was preceded in death by his parents, Giorgio and Renza, and leaves to cherish his memory wife, Monica Michelle Petit; son Giorgio; brother Carlo (Nok); sisters, Carla and Laura (Nicolo); mother-in-law Linda; sisters-in-law Chantée (Joseph) and Lashawn; brother-in-law George (Gaylynn); nieces Sofia, Laila, and Virginia; nephews Matteo, Edoardo, Omari, Micah, and Grant; dear friends The Vaccari Family, Thomas Stiller, Riccardo, Simone and Gianpolo.

Beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, & friend.