Mario Mullig

Former Observer-Reporter journalist and WJPA broadcaster

Mario M. Mullig of Canonsburg, a former business editor and business writer for the Washington Observer-Reporter, died Saturday, August 22, 2026, with his family by his side.

Mario was born in Canonsburg on August 9, 1927, a son of Joseph and Augusta Cargnello Mullig, and lived in Canonsburg most of his life.

He was the devoted husband of the former Virginia Miklic of Washington. They were married on July 22, 1967, in St. Patrick Church in Canonsburg. Mario was a 1946 graduate of Canonsburg High School and a 1947 graduate of Ide-Paulin School of Announcing in Pittsburgh.

Using the professional name Bob Coleman, Mario worked as a radio announcer and disc jockey at WCVI in Connellsville and WKIN and WACB in Kittanning. In 1955, Mario joined WJPA in Washington and was the host of “Midnight Merry-Go-Round.” He also served as disc jockey at numerous teenage dances throughout the Washington area.

He started working for the Observer Publishing Co. in 1965 as a reporter. From 1960 until 1972, he also served as information director for Citizens Library. Mario left the O-R in 1972 to become the communications director for the McGraw-Edison Power Systems Division, headquartered in Canonsburg. He was in charge of employee publications, the Canonsburg plant “Reporter” and the division-wide magazine, “MEPSCOPE.” In 1979, he rejoined the O-R as a copy editor. From 1986 to 1997, he was a business editor and business writer. He concluded his career with the O-R, working part time as a layout editor and librarian until his retirement in 2009.

Mario was an active member of St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg. He was chosen to serve as one of its first lectors in 1955. In addition to serving as a lector until 2015, he and his wife, Virginia, also served as Eucharistic ministers, bringing Communion to St. Patrick Church’s shut ins.

Mario was a third-degree member of Canonsburg Council 3291, Knights of Columbus, for more than 50 years. In addition to serving as Grand Knight of Council 3291, he also served a term as a district deputy for the Knights of Columbus district that included the Canonsburg, Washington, Burgettstown and Crafton Councils.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, Virginia, he is survived by seven children: Michael (Donna) of North Huntingdon, Marianne Taich of Tampa, Maureen (Brian) Sullivan of Chicago, Mont (Laurie) of Atlanta, Robert of Chicago, Suzanne (Olen) Scott of Denver, Colorado, and Amy (Craig) Antonio of Peters Township; 15 grandchildren and several great- grandchildren. Also surviving are one niece, Carol (Regis) D’Angelo of Pittsburgh, and nephew Steven Germadnik.

His first wife, Mary Jane Miller Mullig, died in 1965. Also deceased are his brother, Isadore (Izzy), and five sisters, Ernesta DelCorso, Cynthia Germadnik, and Lulu, Louise and Valentia Mullig.

The two most important things in Mario’s life were his family and his faith. While we will miss him terribly, we are thankful that he is reunited with his siblings and parents and is now with God.

The family would like to give special thanks to the assisted living staff at Ridgecrest of McMurray and Concordia Hospice for the care and comfort they provided Mario with during the past few months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, Pittsburgh, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Staten Island, N.Y.

Family and friends are welcome from 4-8 pm on Tuesday, August 25th, at Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra LFD owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg. Departing prayers will be recited on Wednesday, August 26th at 9:40am and the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 26th at 10:00am. Friends attending mass should meet at the church. The burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.