I have some terribly sad news. My younger brother, Dean, passed away unexpectedly while my youngest brother, Brandon, and I were having a normal evening with him at the Marko family home in Strasburg, Virginia.

He was OK one second and in cardiac arrest the next, and unfortunately we, the paramedics and the hospital staff were not able to resuscitate him. He was only 44, and we just celebrated his birthday earlier this month.

Brandon urged me to establish a GoFundMe page because Dean did not have life insurance, and had not yet purchased a burial plot for himself -- though he planned to eventually so he could be put to rest near my parents as those were his wishes.

So here it is. Creating a page like this is new for me, and I have to say, it feels like a fine and extremely important tribute to one of the best people I have ever known.

All of this was so sudden -- we're still in shock -- and we're doing our best to pull funds together quickly to honor my brother properly. So if you are able to make a donation in any amount, it would be extremely helpful as we make arrangements this week and finance any post-burial costs.

Please enjoy the photo from Christmas of our sweet, loyal, beloved Dean (we'll do our best to add more pictures!), learn about his recent adventures, and share words of support as Brandon and I need as much good energy, love and light as you're able to shine for us right now. We know Dean is in a better place with my parents, smiling and looking after us from above, but we miss our brother so much.

Our eyes have never been so red. We are completely heartbroken. So please remember to appreciate and cherish the limited time all of us have with one another. Hug your loved ones a little tighter, and especially your siblings when you see them next. Tell them that you love them and tell them often.

Dean had the kindest spirit and a heart of gold, and put everyone around him before himself. He was the best brother anyone could ever hope for and he was my favorite person in the entire world. To learn more about our amazing brother and my hero, please read the following extended obituary and online eulogy I crafted to celebrate him in all of his goodness.

January 20, 2023

Dean Bradley Marko, 44, of Strasburg, Virginia passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 20, 2023 at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia.

Born January 6, 1979, in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Joseph Paul Marko and the late Karen Margaret Lukasavage Marko. He was a 1998 graduate of Herndon High School in Herndon, Virginia. His career included a variety of roles he absolutely cherished at Pitney Bowes, FedEx, Amazon, ADESA, Wheelz Up and Mediatech (Acquired by Corning Life Sciences) along with a handful of great opportunities at other fine organizations.

Dean's eyes always lit up whenever he was working on his car, which was almost daily, as customizing it was one of his passions. He had a deep appreciation of nature, from birds and trees to butterflies and deer, which he'd often photograph and share with friends and family.

In recent years, he took up making urban-inspired men's jewelry as a creative outlet, and got compliments on his creations everywhere he went.

From a distance, Dean looked like a big, tough guy -- like a nightclub bouncer -- but he had the kindest spirit, warmest heart and gentlest soul. His family will miss his huge hugs, deep voice and contagious belly laugh.

Dean adored the cuisines of the world -- Korean, Japanese, Polish, Indian, Afghan, Filipino, Chinese, Italian, Thai, Mexican and Vietnamese. Every meal was a cultural adventure and an opportunity to learn something new.

Some of his favorite spots in Virginia included Yechon, Kirin, Guapo's, Charcoal Kabob, China King, Khukuri, Thunwa Thai and Castiglia's. Dean had such great taste in local restaurants.

Plus, he couldn't resist sushi, steak and seafood, and often enjoyed simple comforts at home like grilled cheese, scrambled eggs, iced tea and Diet Coke.

Dean always looked forward to stopping by Pizza L'Oven and Half Circle Barbecue every time his family paid a visit to friends and relatives in Northeastern Pennsylvania -- a long-time family tradition he embraced wholeheartedly.

He absolutely adored his late mother's cooking. His food-centric family will think of him every time they make his Mom's recipes for Chicken Tetrazzini, Artichoke Dip and Cherry Torte. And his Thanksgiving favorite: Green Bean Casserole.

Dean grew up in Holly Knoll, a neighborhood on the edge of leafy Great Falls. He spent his youth riding bikes, mowing lawns, climbing trees, swimming in his backyard pool, catching lightning bugs, camping out in his treehouse, skateboarding, playing hide-and-seek in the family basement, enjoying flashlight tag, and sledding on steep hills. Plus, Dean loved to play video games, collect comic books and trade baseball cards.

He and his friends were little explorers. They were always playing in the woods, following dirt paths and hopping over winding creeks while trying to avoid poison ivy patches and the dreaded pricker bushes.

Dean learned to play the piano skillfully and performed in a number of recitals and guilds with his brothers, and he was a powerful athlete on basketball and soccer teams coached by his Dad.

With his family, Dean moved to Reston for a few years before eventually settling in Herndon as a teenager, where he and his many friends would explore the town's various sections and streets, often on some kind of adventure with hip-hop music in their ears, endlessly searching for the ultimate chill spot, and forever on a mission to have the most fun they could possibly have.

In high school, Dean, his brothers and his friends would head to nearby Washington, D.C. for festivals and concert events whenever they could. Dean loved music. He would get quite a kick out of upgrading his car speakers, stereo electronics and sound systems. From there, he would proudly immerse his friends and family in a custom, mobile listening environment of his very own creation. It brought him so much joy.

Dean looked forward to every holiday like a big kid -- especially Easter (egg hunts! baskets! the Easter Bunny!), Independence Day (fireworks! cookouts!), Halloween (candy! costumes!), Thanksgiving (turkey! dinner rolls! cranberry sauce!), Christmas (presents! Santa! lights! decorations! snow!) and New Year's Eve (cheers! celebrate!).

And as he got older, he would hand out sweet treats to trick-or-treaters, and even put on his own fireworks displays for neighborhood kids and families to enjoy each Fourth of July.

After his Mom passed away, Dean and his Dad moved to the South Riding area of Chantilly. He loved to spend his time getting to know his neighbors, including Bob Burrell, his best friend. Every time he would visit Bob, Dean would say he was just stopping by for a minute and then he would stay for hours chatting, laughing and always having the best time.

In 2021, one year after Dean's Dad passed away, Dean and Brandon moved to Strasburg in a neighborhood nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. He loved his new home and his new bedroom chock-full of his favorite gadgets, treasured knick-knacks and extensive collection of hats and footwear.

His favorite spot was his overstuffed recliner where he would watch movies, surf the internet, take afternoon naps and chat at length on the phone with family and friends.

Whenever out and about, Dean was always waving to his new neighbors -- Joe, Stephanie, Jon, Jennifer, Misty and so many other great folks. The night before he passed, Joe, his neighbor from across the street, brought over some delicious Filipino stew that his mother made, and Dean (and his brothers) could not have enjoyed it more. So good!

Dean is survived by his dear brothers, Drew, Jersey City, New Jersey and Brandon, Strasburg, Virginia, and Dean's front-porch companion and family cat, Echo, along with beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors who adored him greatly, including his Aunt Mary Anne and Uncle Paul in Ohio, and Aunt Betty in California, and especially his loving cousin and godmother, Kim Ragheb, Orlando, Florida, and her family Mac, Lena, Aaron and Zain, and close family friend, Marta Baker Steane, Front Royal, Virginia.

Dean's mother, Karen, passed away in 2003 and his father, Joseph, passed away in 2020, and he spoke of them often -- practically daily.

If Dean ever accidentally got food on his shirt while eating dinner -- like his mother would sometimes do while expressing her immediate displeasure -- Dean would say, "that's Mom saying, 'hi!'" from up above.

His precious parents, like Dean, were such bright lights. They were always on his mind and forever with him in spirit -- his true guardian angels.

When Dean's parents were ill and in declining health, Dean stepped in to be a full-time, hands-on caregiver, which was incredibly challenging, but he wouldn't have it any other way, spending months at his mother's bedside and years at his father's.

When his parents ultimately passed away, Dean insisted on purchasing plots for both of them at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, and designed an angel-inspired headstone to honor them both.

Brandon and Drew are confident that their incredible brother Dean is now among the angels with their Mom and Dad, and experiencing all of the love and peace he so very much deserves.

Over the last few years, every so often, Dean would repeat a phrase he learned from his father when he was young. He'd say, "Life is more precious than gold." Dean and his Dad were absolutely right. It most certainly is.

Regarding Dean's Visitation, Mass of Christian Burial, Graveside Service, Interment, and Late Lunch Gathering, Drew and Brandon have confirmed the following:

Visitation

9:30 am - 10:00 am

Monday, January 30, 2023

Saint Veronica Catholic Church

3460 Centreville Road

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 am

Monday, January 30, 2023

Saint Veronica Catholic Church

3460 Centreville Road

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Graveside Service and Interment

12:00 pm

Monday, January 30, 2023

Chestnut Grove Cemetery

831 Dranesville Road

Herndon, Virginia 20170

Late Lunch Gathering

1:30 pm

Monday, January 30, 2023

Sweetwater Tavern

14250 Sweetwater Lane

Centreville, Virginia 20121

Drew and Brandon may be a bit fluid with the exact start time of lunch. Assuming the Interment ends by 12:45 pm, friends, family, neighbors and coworkers are welcome to meet at Sweetwater Tavern at around 1:30 pm to break bread and raise a glass to Dean.

Instead of holding a wake the evening before, or hosting a post-funeral reception at home or elsewhere, Drew and Brandon thought gathering for a meal at Sweetwater Tavern would be a perfect way to honor their brother as it was one of Dean's favorite spots to dine with his Mom, Dad and brothers.

Please feel free to dress comfortably -- whether in something more traditional (like a suit) or something cozy and casual -- as Dean treasured being comfortable always. He would want everyone to be as comfortable as possible too, particularly at the celebration of his meaningful life and inspiring legacy.