Mario Aviles was a beloved husband, father, brother, friend, educator, coach, drummer, and avid runner. Coach Mario, also known as "Mr. Mario" or "The Man with the Tambourine," had an incredible ability to bring positivity and encouragement to everyone he met. He also had an incredible smile that made it impossible to resist not smiling right back at him.

Throughout his life, you could find Mario either on the volleyball sidelines cheering on his daughter, or on the trails of Shelby Farms Park. He loved spending time in the park with his family, training as a runner, and inspiring young runners as he coached them to believe in themselves and reach their full potential. Shelby Farms was more than just a park for Mario. It was his favorite place, his training ground, and where he shared his love of running with others. To honor his legacy and the countless athletes he inspired, the family is working to install a permanent "Mario's Bench" at Shelby Farms Park. It will be located along the Chickasaw Trail near the Cross Country course, where he cheered his students through victories, personal bests and moments of self-discovery. It will provide a place for runners to continue to be supported by Coach Mario, while also giving the family a place to feel close to him.

This GoFundMe has been created for those who would like to support the family and contribute to the installation of Mario’s bench. If contributions exceed the goal, all additional funds will be donated to organizations dedicated to finding a cure for glioblastoma. The amount needed to have a memorial bench installed is $5,000.

Thank you for helping us celebrate Mario’s life and preserve his spirit in a place he loved so deeply. His laughter, his music, and his unwavering encouragement will continue to echo along the trails of Shelby Farms for years to come.

With love,

Kseniya and Maya