Mr. Mark Ward Mazzo

Mr. Mark Ward Mazzo, age 53, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center after battling an illness, with his dedicated and loving wife always at his side. Born in Utica on March 21, 1960, Mark was the son of the late Carl R., Sr. and Juanita (Ward) Mazzo. Raised and educated locally, he attended Notre Dame High School, the Oneida Board Of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) where he received his certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Maria College in Albany, and the SUNY Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Computer Sciences. While attending Nursing school he met Kathleen Riley, and on October 2, 1990 they were joined together in a beautiful autumn wedding ceremony on the peak of White Face Mountain. Just after exchanging their vows, the mountain was closed as the result of a squalling snow storm. Laughter was a key component in their union, and Mark worked to make sure Kathy was always taken care of. Mark was blessed with clear and compassionate interpersonal communication skills which aided him in his vocation as an awesome nurse. He lastly worked at the Walsh Medical Complex and more recently he was a self-employed web designer. Mark was selfless by nature, and a community advocate by design. He was not a politician, per se, but preferred to engage in a healthy debate when the topics were pivotal or controversial. Mark simply wanted to help address problems and make the community a better place to live. Sparked by his computer skills, the ICD (Implanted Cardiac Defibrillator) Support Group.org was a website he actively helped found and maintain and which now has 25,000 members. The general public and hospital personnel use this site as a resource to join in conversations that deal with issues and related concerns. On the home front, Christmas time and the traditional festivities were special for Mark, including planning the decorative theme for the tree and creating the menu for the family feast which resulted in a resounding “Mark could cook” acclamation. One of Mark’s interests was playing the piano, and as a young man, he performed in the West Albany Street Blues Band. A civic-minded man, Mark was a Ward Chair of the 5th Ward Democrat Party; over-seeing & governing 8 districts & 16 committee people. He also was an Executive Board Member to the City & Oneida County Democrat Party. Mark was (THE) Tech Support of both City & County Dem Party & Tech Assistant to City Secretary. He was a strong advocate for the people of the 5th Ward & a strong working force for the candidate(s) best suited for the area. He always prided himself on striving to be a Positive Working Political Strategist. Mark was diligently focusing in on making things politically correct within the Democrat Party & in the process of launching many concepts for he felt like the Party Leaders were like family. Mark was raised in the Catholic faith, and as an altar boy he was resoundingly responsible for making the altar bells ring more often than they should have. Mark is survived by his wife, who he affectionately called “Kate”; and their canine companion, Matilda. He also leaves his sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha and “Woody” Frank of Delanson, NY, and Susan and “Kawalla” Beckman of Gulf Breeze, FL; his brother and sister-in-law, Carl R. “Bob” Jr. and Carolyn Mazzo of Sugarland, TX; his nieces and nephews and their families, Joel Meislin, Lori Foster (Tommie), Carla Meislin; Amy Frank, Andrew Frank; Jonathan Beckman, Kallie Beckman; Bob Mazzo, Jim Mazzo; Amber Riley-Jenks, Heather Sprague, and Cory Sprague; many cousins; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Marcia and James Riley of Westmoreland; sister-in-law Kristen Riley of Rome; and many friendships he cherished with special mention of Dan “Chucky” Pryor, Dean Comito and Stanley DiPetro. He was predeceased by his beloved sister, Nonarose Meislin; and his canine, Mrs. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday from 2-4 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Mark’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 at the funeral home immediately upon the conclusion of visitation. Inurnment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mr. Mark Ward Mazzo

March 21, 1960 - November 3, 2013