"I love my boys" - Marrazzo Family College Fund

Mark Marrazzo was a vibrant man with a beautiful family and a great future ahead of him when a virus attacked his heart almost eight years ago. There are strong people in the world who are beacons of light, who hold us up when times get tough, and who are willing to go to great lengths to help anyone in need. Mark Marrazzo was that kind of person. Anyone who has ever met Mark remembers him. He was incredibly upbeat with a smile that lit up the room. He was animated and witty, warm and caring, compassionate and generous, and he never turned down an opportunity to give help to someone in need. Mark was the rare person who put others before himself. 

He loved to help others with his building and carpentry expertise, his time, and his labor, and you never had to ask. Mark would volunteer to do the work, and he never finished a job until it was perfect. Mark took great pride in the quality and love that he put into his work, and by the time Mark was finished helping you, you learned how to use each tool safely, you learned how to do the job correctly, with care and patience, and you learned how to belly laugh and have fun while you worked. Mark was full of knowledge.

Together, Mark and his wife, Heather, worked tirelessly to promote positive change in the world, giving their time and boundless energy to multiple charitable organizations and community causes. Mark’s favorite way to give back was through youth sports. There was never a Cherry Valley Swim Club meet that Mark missed, and he never sent a swimmer off to the tri-county meet without a hand-made sign cheering them on. Mark was also the best person to see after a race because he either “knew you were gonna win that one,” or believed in you and had faith that you “were gonna get him next time, trust me.” The same attitude carried over to his love of West Wrestling and West Swimming, where Mark was the most devoted parent in the stands, and not just for his sons. He supported, encouraged, and comforted every kid on the team like one of his own. He was a father to many. There are no athletes without memories of Mark’s kindness and quiet confidence in their performance. He was always that way, and he never backed down from a challenge or opportunity to help, not even when he began to truly suffer from the effects of the virus. 

There were frequent trips to the hospital and a great deal of pain as the effects of the virus took their toll on his body, but Mark continued to work to support his family and community, to give to others, and to laugh and love life with all his soul. He was never happier than he was at home in his castle snuggled up on the couch with his golden retriever Riley and surrounded by his boys and Heather. The Marrazzo family was shattered on Saturday, December 5th, when Mark lost his long battle. 

He loved Heather with loyalty and passion and single-minded devotion. No one laughed like Mark and Heather. Their intense love for each other spilled over not only to their two sons, Mark and Jake but to Mark’s pet friends Riley, Timber, and Betty. He was an incredibly committed father who supported his sons in every venture, and he was particularly proud that he was able to support them as they pursued their college degrees. Mark was their rock, and both boys are devastated at the death of their wonderful father. They are working to complete school to fulfill their promise to Mark. 

Heather, Mark, and Jake are faced with unspeakable grief at the loss of the heart and soul of their family. Mark’s intense devotion as a father and his incredible love as a husband will make the empty place at the table that much more difficult to bear. 

There is no amount of money that can lessen their pain as Heather, Jake, and Mark go through the dark days ahead, but with your help, we can ease some of the worry of Mark’s medical expenses, support the boys through college, something Mark was so proud of, and help with the unexpected financial burdens that they will face in the months to come. Please consider contributing whatever you can to support Heather and their sons as they mourn their unspeakable loss. The world lost a bright spot. Thank you for your support.