Mariano Tiangco Banzon, 83, of Montclair, New Jersey, unexpectedly passed away in his home, Friday, May 30, 2025. As a doting and loving Husband, Father, Brother, Tito, Lolo, and Lolo sa tuhod, Mariano devoted his life to his family, friends, those in need, and his faith. Mariano's love, generosity and humorous spirit extended to individuals, regardless of any defining superficial trait or circumstance, often welcoming family, friends or strangers in need, into our home for respite and care, or sharing intellectual or financial gifts when possible.

Born to Conrado Banzon and Cleofe (nee Tiangco) Banzon on November 24, 1941, in Balanga Bataan, Philippines, Mariano's infancy was met with the WWII Japanese Invasion, Bataan Death March, and the rebuilding of civilization that soon followed. Mariano's emergence into this world and subsequent survival indoctrinated the sheer determination, will, and perseverance that built the incredibly strong and successful character that allowed him to create and cultivate a full and purposeful life within each of his 83 embodied years.

Mariano was raised in the Philippines and as a child, Mariano would swim in the local river, play with stray dogs, and climb trees and mountains, where once at the top, he would point to the ocean and declare, "I want to go to America!"

Mariano attended Mapua Institute of Technology in the City of Manila, Philippines, where he met the love of his life, Maria Edwina, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduating, Mariano owned a trucking business and worked in Iron & Steel.

At 24 years old, Mariano obtained his green card, followed through with his childhood declaration, and immigrated to the United States, where he took residence in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY near his employment at Pfizer. The following year, Maria Edwina immigrated to the United States, and within a few months Mariano and Maria Edwina married. They soon started to create their family, changing residences to Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, NY, Flushing, Brooklyn, NY and then Hillside, Manhattan, NY, depending on where work took either of them. After their first two children were born, and Mariano earned his US Citizenship, Mariano moved the family to Montclair, NJ where he continued to grow his family and education.

Mariano earned his second Bachelors of Science Degree this time in Accounting from Montclair State University, followed by earning his Master of Business and Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. With his knowledge, experience and desire for change, Mariano moved from Pfizer to International Container Shipping and then to UPS, where he enjoyed working until his retirement.

During one of Mariano's return to the Philippines, to visit his mother before she succumbed to Alzheimer's, Mariano and Edwina met a young child in need, Emily Cababat, and chose to adopt and financially provide for her upbringing and education through Sister Daniella's guardianship.

Mariano chose to live frugally so as to share his intellectual and financial wealth with his family of origin, created family, extended family as well as his community, earning one of his nicknames as Don Tito Net back in the Philippines.

Mariano was loyal and most passionate about family, education, teaching, gardening, traveling, laughing, entertaining, fitness, solving puzzles, and ice cream. In his spare time and retirement, if he was not caring for Maria Edwina, his children, grandkids, great granddaughter or his children's dogs, he would be flying or driving either to his home in Myrtle Beach or visiting childhood or college friends throughout the world. Mariano faced any adversity with strong conviction and clear focus and was able to create something out of nothing over and over again, teaching us how to persevere through hardship, thrive throughout the seasons, and truly enjoy the simple pleasures of life.


Mariano is survived by his loving wife of 57 years and 11 months, Maria Edwina, his children Mark Banzon, Vicki Bailon, Kristina Drymalski (nee Banzon), Tom Drymalski, Julie Law (nee Banzon), Matthew Law, Susan Banzon, and Emily Cababat; and his grandchildren Erica, Paul, Sean, Lili, Josephine, John, Sophia, Maxwell, and Charlotte, his great grandchild, Gabriella (Celine), and grand fur children Maggie, Mama, Sunshine, Blue and Griffin, siblings Teresita, Alicia, Celso, Conrado Jr., and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Mariano is predeceased by his father and mother, older brothers Virgilio Banzon and Felicismo Banzon, his dogs Niko and Chow Chow, and his children's dogs and bunny B.Co, Patches, Sampson, Sissy, in-laws, and his life-long friends.


A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 2-6pm at Caggiano Memorial, 62 Grove St, Montclair, NJ

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10am at Saint Cassian Roman Catholic Church , 187 Bellevue Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ. The livestream will be available through Saint Cassian's YouTube Channel .

His burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Cemetery , 712 Grove St, Upper Montclair, NJ, following the mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Holy Face Monastery , or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Mariano's honor.

Holy Face Monastery
1697 State Route 3
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 778-1177
holyfaceosb@gmail.com