Help Ease Mark’s Medical Burden:

A Time to Honor a Man Who Gave So Much

In the heart of our community stood a man who embodied the essence of kindness, resilience, and unwavering support for others. Mark, a dedicated entrepreneur, loving husband, father, and papa, faced severe health challenges that have left his family facing significant medical burden.

Mark was a man with a larger-than-life persona, whose laughter filled a room. He was always on the move, bopping around with boundless energy, he brought joy and a touch of craziness to our lives, reminding us to embrace each moment with happiness! His was a voice that could never be silenced, and a heart so full of love and loyalty that it touched everyone he knew! Together with Maria, his partner in life and love for over 29 years, they crafted a beautiful story of dedication—not only to their businesses- Big Bears Construction Inc and Remington’s Pre-Owned Autos but to their family and each other. Mark's journey, marked by profound health challenges, revealed the depth of their love and partnership.

In January of 2022, Mark started having shortness of breath. On February 2nd 2022, he found out that he needed a new aortic valve. He then underwent surgery to replace his aortic valve by TAVR surgery. At the end of that surgery, he coded. He was down for four minutes, but he was strong, and he came back to us. It was on Maria’s birthday February 7th, that Mark returned home from surgery, a gift of time they cherished deeply. Together, they faced each setback with unwavering faith, including Mark’s miraculous recoveries when all seemed lost. Their love was a fortress amidst the storm, embodying a partnership that was truly for better or for worse. On February 9th, his doctor called to inform us that his bloodwork showed that due to him coding during the surgery his kidney had died. Since Mark was born with only one kidney this meant he would have to go on hemodialysis. So, on February 9th he had a port put in to start the hemodialysis as an outpatient. On February 14th as he went through his second hemodialysis he coded again. He was down for ten minutes. They told his wife Maria that he would be a vegetable, but Mark was a miracle he came back to his family. Maria kept telling the hospital to check him for blood clots daily for six days, however they did not. When they finally honored Maria’s requests, they found out that Mark had massive blood clots through both of his lungs and his main artery that goes up his leg to his heart. At that point they found out that he had a dangerous allergic reaction to medication that led to Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (HITT) syndrome. This led to a 52 day stay in Buffalo General Hospital. This all caused him necessitated prolonged oxygen therapy, adding another layer to his medical challenges. In August of 2022, Mark was able to come off of the oxygen and he continued his fight to get well so that he could someday get a kidney transplant. He went back to work and tried to live life. It was a very tough road. In November 2023, he started peritoneal dialysis at home. His body began having difficulty getting fluid off. He began having shortness of breath again and his blood pressure kept dropping causing him to have vasovagal syncope. On April 10th, 2024, Mark was admitted back into the hospital. This is when Mark found out the devastating news that his heart valve, replaced in hopes of extending his life, failed merely two years post-operation – even though it was meant to last for over ten. At this point, the hope was for Mark to undergo open heart surgery in the following days. However, the unimaginable occurred, and on the night of April 16th, Mark coded and was unable to be resuscitated.

Mark’s long battle and the demands of these treatments, coupled with medical appointments every week, exhausted the energy and time both he and Maria once poured into their businesses. Despite all of these hurdles, Mark never let these challenges dim his spirit. Alongside his wife, Maria, for over 29 they built not just businesses, but a family filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams. Together, they were inseparable, sharing every moment of the day together building their three businesses and enjoying their beautiful family. Mark was Maria’s biggest supporter in her endeavor as a real-estate broker for over 24 years. Through it all, Mark's spirit, supported by the unwavering care of his family, allowed him to create two more years of memories with his loved ones, a testament to his incredible strength.

As we launch this GoFundMe campaign, we do so not just to alleviate the financial strain his medical journey has imposed on his family but to celebrate and honor the remarkable life of a man who, even in the face of his own battles, was always the first to offer help to others. Leaving behind his soulmate Maria, his son Charlie, daughter Christina, and three grandchildren Jordan, Lucas, and Kinsley who were his absolute joy. In honor of Mark's giving spirit, we are reaching out to our community for support. The financial burden left by his prolonged medical care is a heavy one, and in these trying times, any contribution to help ease this load for his family would be immensely appreciated. Let’s come together to give back to a man who spent his life ensuring others were taken care of. Your donations, no matter the size, will help Mark's family navigate through this challenging period and honor a man whose life was a beacon of generosity and love!

Donate to the Go Fund Me Below: