Two things have been part of Mario Commiso’s life for almost as long as he can remember; a passion for music, and the consumer food business.

Mario’s career began at age 11 when he started working at the family grocery store in Schreiber, Ontario. Putting in hours after school, on weekends, and during the summer months, Mario developed a strong work as well as an early understanding of business.

During that time, music was the foundation of Commiso life. Family members participated in music lessons offered by the nuns living in town. But eventually, 2 years later, the nuns moved away, leaving no options behind. That’s when Mario’s father, Cosimo, determined to provide a musical outlet for his children, began driving the family over 200 kilometers to music lessons in Thunder Bay, every other week. It was the closest alternative.

Mario says some of his fondest memories are of when he and his two brothers played at various events in the surrounding area. The Commiso brothers performed for the one-time Governor General, Ross MacDonald, the Thunder Bay Cystic Fibrosis Telethon and [perhaps most memorable], Terry Fox, when his Marathon of Hope ran through the little railway town of Schreiber.

Fast forward to 1990. Having finished high school, gotten married and left home to become a grocery store manager in the bustling metropolis of Toronto, Mario took a job with Schneider Foods. His sales career had begun.

In 1999 he became a Certified Sales Professional and a member of the Canadian Professional Sales Association. Always ready for new challenges and opportunities, Mario joined Maple Leaf Consumer Foods as Key Account Manager.

Mario is quick to attribute much of his success to a balanced lifestyle and rewarding home life with his beautiful wife Maria and their joy, 12-year-old daughter Adena. Of course, music is never far from his mind, and a hard day’s work often concludes with a seat at the piano, which he finds relaxing and rejuvenating.

He obtained his Grade 10 in Pianoforte from Conservatory Canada in London, Ontario. Mario’s musical education, in combination with the love and dedication to his craft, enables him to pass on his talent and passion to others. He has enjoyed teaching piano for 22 years, to students from 4 to 54 years of age. A particular highlight was in 1994, when one of his students received the highest mark in Ontario for Grade 2 piano. He presently works with 8 students once a week, and finds it to be the right balance for maintaining his teaching ability, while still focusing on his full-time career with Maple Leaf Foods.

Another important part of Mario’s life is fundraising. The Commiso family has organized the Maple Leaf Top Dog Team group, which participates in the Annual Supercities, Multiple Sclerosis Walk, for the past 7 years. Through their efforts, a total of $86,000.00 has been raised.

Mario’s latest endeavour is a powerful and inspiring one. It has been a dream of his for more than 20 years to record an album. And now, with his father suffering the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, Mario found himself motivated to finally turn his dream into reality.

His first CD, entitled “Reflections”, is an instrumental selection of traditional favorites. Dedicated to his dad, “Reflections” is more than a heartfelt labour of love. Mario donates 25% of all sales to the Alzheimer Society, a group providing support to people affected by the disease. More than $10,000.00 has been donated so far. Mario is still sometimes overcome by the countless sacrifices his father made in order to provide for his family and says now “when I play, I play for him.”
Note from the author: Mario Commiso is one of the most understanding, sincere and genuine persons I’ve ever come across. I feel honoured to have aided him in this – a most passionate, inspirational and uplifting project. Josh Haupert.