Dr. Mario R. Lim, MD

Mario Rosario Lim, MD was born in the city of Manila in the Philippines on September 11, 1932 to Manuel Lim (Chinese name: Lim Yap), a Chinese immigrant to the Philippines and Rita Rosario, a Filipino. His father was a contractor responsible for several building projects in their town of Vintar and his mother was a housewife. He and his five sisters grew up in Vintar. When Mario was five-years-old, his father died, and his mother opened up a small store to support the family. Life was not easy especially during the Japanese occupation during World War II. However, the family made it through and Mario eventually went on to attend the University of Santo Tomas Medical School, graduating in 1956. While at the university, Mario was a member of the University of Santo Tomas Unit, ROTC, Manila from 1949-1951.

In 1957, Mario moved to the United States to continue his education. He interned at a hospital in Iowa, and then later at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. He did his general practice residency at St. Mary Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Finally, he did his fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology at Hahnemann Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia. Mario entered private practice as a general practitioner (now known as Family Practice) specializing in OB-GYN. During his residency, he had met his future wife, Mary Anne Lim (née Hoban), a nurse. They married in 1961 and settled in Fishtown, their practice being right across the street from St. Mary’s. Mario and Mary Anne had four children: Paula Brown (Kevin); the late Mario R. Lim, Jr.; Manuel F. Lim and the late Kyran Lim. There are also two grandchildren: Mario L. and Kyran I. Brown.

Besides his work and family, Mario’s other passions were travel, gardening and fishing. He was an active member of the Angler’s Club of Absecon Island and spent most of his retirement either out on the pier, working in one of his gardens or traveling between the Poconos, Williamsburg, VA and Disney World in Orlando, FL. 

Besides two of his children and grandchildren, Mario is survived by his sister, Rosario Clarin and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one son and one daughter and sisters: Basilia Benigno; Perfecnita Thomas; Rosalia Lim and Pelagia Garalde.

Friends and relatives are invited to celebrate Dr. Lim’s life on Saturday, November 30, at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 701 Gaul Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125. Viewing will begin at 9:30 AM with Mass to follow at 11:30 AM. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery with a luncheon to follow.

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