Mario H. Avila M.D.'s Obituary
Dr. Mario H. Avila of Boca Raton, Florida, a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather,
and esteemed Vascular Surgeon, passed away on Monday, December 4th, 2023. He was
surrounded and supported by his loving family during the last days of his life.
Born in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, on July 16, 1938, Mario led a life characterized by
integrity, hard work, and dedication. After graduating from Medical School at Universidad
Nacional de Tucuman in September of 1963, he went into private practice in General and
Thoracic Surgery in Argentina before opting to come to the United States in July of 1968 to
pursue a Surgical Residency at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia. There he met his loving wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Anne Pickard. In January of 1974, they moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he established a long and successful private practice in Vascular Surgery. Dr. Avila was a member of many vascular surgical societies, both national and international, and a founding member of the South Florida Society for Vascular Surgery, which later combined with the Florida Vascular Society. While his gifted hands saved countless lives, it was his warm spirit and kindness that made him well-loved and respected by colleagues and patients alike.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mario was a man of unwavering love and commitment
to his family, who enjoyed music, soccer, rugby, and learning about new cultures from his
international travels. He is survived by his wife Anne; two children, Thomas (Ines) Avila of Coral
Gables and Lisa (Antonio) Obregon of Boca Raton; five grandchildren, Christina and Victoria
Avila, and Antonio, Annalisa, and Ashton Obregon; two nieces and a nephew from Argentina,
Ana Florencia, Augusto, and Alejandra Pasqualini. He was preceded in death by his parents
and sister.
The family invites all who knew and loved Mario to join them in celebrating his remarkable life. A
funeral Mass will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Boca Raton, Florida, on December 19th, 2023, at 1:00 PM, immediately followed by Interment at the Boca Raton Cemetery.
Dr. Mario Avila will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his distinguished career, and
the love he brought into the lives of those around him. As we gather to commemorate his life, let
us honor his memory and carry forth his legacy of strength and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to the Alzheimer's Association to continue funding the
search for a cure.
What’s your fondest memory of Mario?
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Share a story where Mario's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mario you’ll never forget.
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