Mario Marcone died on May 14, 2003. Marcone served in the US Army (Solo Trumpet with the 80th Division Band) during World War II. He was wounded in a land-mine explosion; upon his release from the hospital he joined the 17th Depot Replacement Band led by Dave Brubeck. After the war Brubeck asked him to join his band as a lead player, but Marcone declined the offer in order to be with his wife and two sons. Instead he went to the Eastern School of Musical Instrument Repair to learn brass repair.

In 1956 Marcone started working for C. Bruno and Son, distributors of English Boosey and Hawkes, and French Besson instruments. Here he worked as a customizer for many of the top players of the time who came to New York City for his help. Marcone helped in the redesign of higher-pitched trumpets and developed a line of student trumpets and cornets. In 1968, he joined the staff at the Giardinelli shop where he worked with Greg Black and helped to further develop the mouthpiece line. He also spent time working at the Vincent Bach factory in Mt. Vernon.

Marcone's playing career included stints with Charlie Barnett and Bunny Berrigan before World War II. After the war he performed at the Roseland Ball Room in NYC, the Greenwich Village Pub, China Doll, Embassy Dance Hall and the Brooklyn Room where he met his wife, Dorothy, who was a dancer there.

Always willing to share his knowledge and expertise, Marcone influenced and encouraged many of the top instrument makers and repair professionals active today. Dave Monette credits Marcone with inspiring him to create forward-looking instruments.