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Mario Segale, Inspiration for Titular Super Mario Bros. Character, Passes Away
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
The Marlatt Funeral Home & Crematory has posted an obituary to announce that Mario Arnold Segale — the man who served as the inspiration for the name of the titular character in Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. franchise — passed away on October 27. He was 84.
His obituary reads, "While he was the inspiration for the name of Nintendo's 'Super Mario' from when [Nintendo was a tenant] in his business park in the 1970's, he always ducked the notoriety and wanted to be known instead for what he accomplished in his life."
Nintendo said in a statement to entertainment news website Variety, "Nintendo of America is sad to hear of Mr. Segale's passing, and we extend our sympathies to his family and friends."
Segale was born in Seattle to first-generation Italian immigrant farmers. He started his own construction company soon after graduating high school in 1952. After marrying in 1957, he and his wife built up M.A. Segale, Inc., a heavy construction general contractor company. He eventually sold the company in 1998.
Segale established the Segale Business Park in Tukwila, Washington in the early 1970s, and also founded the Segale Properties real estate company.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, four children, and nine grandchildren. His funeral services will be private.
Sources: Marlatt Funeral Home & Crematory, NPR (Bill Chappell), Auburn Reporter (Robert Whale), Variety (Stafanie Fogel)
