Mario Mariani, tailor for the Marine Corps

Mario Mariani, 90, formerly of Willow Grove, a tailor who designed uniforms for the Marine Corps for 29 years, died Saturday, May 1, of heart failure at home in Wilmington, N.C.

As an 8-year-old, Mr. Mariani began helping out at a tailor shop in his native Abruzzi, Italy. At 15, he moved to Philadelphia with his family and found work in a local tailor shop.

During World War II, he served in the Navy. After his discharge, he made officer's uniforms at the Marine Corps Supply Depot in Philadelphia for six years, and then for six years operated a dry cleaning and tailor business in Germantown.

In 1958, he returned to the depot, and in 1962 he became head designer in the clothing design office there.

Working with a government approval board, Mr. Mariani developed uniforms that were functional, attractive, and up-to-date. He cut patterns and made samples, and traveled to Marine Corps bases to try the uniforms on recruits. In 1971, he reproduced Marine uniforms from 1776 to World War I for a museum exhibit.

In March, Mr. Mariani was interviewed by the Wilmington Star-News. He showed a reporter photos of a bulletproof vest he designed in the 1950s and a later photo of a female Marine in a long jacket with pleats around the hem that was included in a maternity uniform wardrobe. There was also a photo of a Marine with a 52-inch chest and 36-inch waist wearing a custom-tailored uniform.

In 1976, the Marine Corps depot in Philadelphia closed and the clothing design office was moved to Albany, Ga. Mr. Mariani was head designer there until retiring in 1981.

Last December, Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, sent Mr. Mariani greetings on his 90th birthday and thanked him for his service. "Though you did not wear the uniforms you designed," Conway wrote, "you are a valued member of our Marine Corps family."

Mr. Mariani shared his talents with his family and made prom gowns, robes, coats, dresses and drapes, and upholstered furniture, said a daughter, Nancy Brucker.

After leaving Albany, he and his wife lived in Norristown and Sarasota, Fla., until moving to North Carolina in 2004 to be close to family.

In addition to his daughter and his wife of 69 years, Eugenia Spinosa Mariani, he is survived by daughters Silvia and Maryjean; a son, Mario; a sister; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Monday, May 17, at St. David Church, 316 N. Easton Rd., Willow Grove.