Sep 12, 2008 4 min read

Mario Vincent Tiberi died at the age of 56 after a heart attack unexpectedly took his life Tuesday. Barbara, his wife of 32 years, said the outpouring of support from his friends in the community has been tremendous. People have dropped off packages of food and drinks at the homes of all the local family members.

“He knew everyone and never met a stranger,” said Barbara during an interview at the couple’s Belmeade Terrace home. “He had so many friends.”

Barbara and Mario were high school sweethearts, even earning the title of Coronation King and Queen at a winter formal dance at German Township High School, from which he graduated in 1970.

Barbara described her late huband as “outgoing, very kind and compassionate.”

She said he was very active in education, having retired in June from the Albert Gallatin Area School District after 34 years as an educator, most recently serving as special education director for the district.

Tiberi had wished to continue his work with students even after his retirement. He was expected to substitute teach at Laurel Highlands Middle School the day he died.

His sister, Mary Macar, principal of the middle school, said her brother told her he would work without a prep time or lunchtime. He just was passionate about his role as an educator.

Macar said he supported and became a friend to many – no matter the color of their skin, whether they were rich or poor or in trouble or not.

He loved working with the students, giving cards to those who would be without high school graduation gifts and donating furniture to a life skills class at a local school.

“He said, ‘Nurture and love ’em. Be firm yet fair’,” said Macar.

Tiberi also taught history at Smithfield Elementary School, served as assistant principal at German Township Junior High before the district consolidated schools and as principal of the Albert Gallatin Area High School once consolidation was complete.

He served as federal funds coordinator and assistant superintendent within the district’s Central administration.

Macar said despite the administrative roles he held, he did not let the authority go to his head.

“He was a friend of every teacher. He was humble,” Macar said, noting he would scrub the floors and take out the garbage at the office if needed. “He always fought for the underdog. He hated injustice and always wanted the right thing to be done.”

She said Tiberi also left her with another piece of advice: “Love is a gift. The more you give, the more you get.”

The family partly attributed Tiberi’s compassionate nature to his upbringing.

Tiberi and his five brothers and sisters grew up in Edenborn, “dirt poor,” but happy, said Macar.

His father, the late Mario Tiberi, who served on the Albert Gallatin Area School Board for several years, greatly influenced his son’s interests in politics and education.

As a youth, Tiberi would campaign with his father. A black and white photograph portrays him riding on a horse alongside a buggy decked out with John F. Kennedy for president campaign signs.

Tiberi remained an active supporter of Democratic election candidates and attended local political rallys, where he met famous people, including Sharon Stone and the daughter of former presidential candidate John Kerry.

His son, Vincent, a lawyer, said his father always wanted to become a lawyer, so he, at one point, began to live his father’s dream.

“He was my best friend and biggest fan,” said Vincent. “You can’t ask for much more from a dad.”

Tiberi also played for and coached winning sports teams.

He and his best friend and former co-worker, Tony Tokish, were friends since seventh grade. They coached high school football together, led many teams to winning seasons, and served on a winning team themselves.

Tiberi was a running back and Tokish was a linebacker for the 1969 German Township football team, the only team in the history of German Township High School football to earn the WPIAL Championship.

Tokish said the two also worked together as teachers and administrators with the school district.

“He worked hard for whatever he got. He always was there to help someone else out,” said Tokish. “…He was like my brother.”

Tiberi also was kind to the community in which he lived. He once surprised a neighbor by painting their deck without being asked to do so and trimmed another’s hedges.

“The neighbors enjoyed him so much,” said Barbara. “He was the life of the neighborhood.”

On the night before he died, Tiberi along with 16 members of the family gathered to talk over dinner and pay a visit to Storey Square in downtown.

It was a nice time, said his brother, Geno. His brother was happy.

“He loved his whole family,” said Barbara.