West Springfield – Mario J. Vanotti, 56, died peacefully Wednesday evening, September 8th, surrounded by his loving family.  Mario was born in Holyoke, the son of Sandra (Mee) Vanotti and the late Ramon J. Vanotti.  He grew up in Agawam, graduating from Agawam High School in 1983, and has lived in West Springfield for the past 29 years.  After graduating high school, he attended Mohawk School of Welding and, following in the footsteps of his father Ramon & his grandfather Romolo Vanotti, became a third-generation welder.  He was most recently employed for 17 years at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT as a Facilities Maintenance Technician.  Mario was a communicant of Holy Name Church in Springfield.  He enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, and was a passionate fan of all Boston Sports Teams. However, what he loved most of all was cooking for his family and friends. He was a longtime member of the Pioneer Valley Sportsmen Club.  He leaves his wife of 23 years Tina (Dultz) Vanotti; his adored son Anthony; his mother Sandra (Mee) Vanotti, sister Robyn Niemiec and her husband Andrew, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, a host of cousins and many dear friends.  Family and friends are invited to meet at Holy Name Church, 323 Dickinson Street, Springfield for the Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 10:00am followed by burial in Agawam Center Cemetery.  Visiting hours will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00pm.  "Due to covid, Masks will be required".  For online condolences please visit curranjones.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the D'Amour Center for Cancer Care, 3350 Main Street, Springfield, 01107 or to the Jennie Dialessi/St. Ann's Society Scholarship Fund, c/o Nancy Tessier 110 Winona Drive, West Springfield, MA 01089.