Obituary for Mark Mako
Mark D. Mako, age 50, of Wall Township NJ, passed away on May 19, 2021 after a brief illness.
Mark was born May 3, 1971 in Chicago IL, but spent most of his childhood in Queens and Brooklyn.
The only child of Mark and Lucille Mako of Bricktown, NJ, Mark was passionately devoted to football his entire life—playing on scholastic teams from age 9 through college. He graduated St. Francis High School in Queens in 1989. During that time, he was a member of the varsity football team for four years—including two years as team captain—while garnering academic accolades including membership in the National Honors Society.
Following St. Francis, Mark was recruited by Cornell University, again mixing academic and athletic excellence. For all four years, he lent his talents to “Big Red” while maintaining a Fellowship Scholarship. Mark was also an active member of the ChiPsi fraternity.
Graduating in 1993, Mark decided on a career in law, attending New York Law School—working as co-editor of the New York Law School Journal of International Law and Comparative Law while graduating cum laude in 1999. Following graduation, Mark went on to work for several NYC law firms before landing at Giordano O’Halleran and Ciesla in Red Bank, where he was a shareholder partner until the time of his passing.
Mark held membership in the Jersey State Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Mortgage Bankers Association of New York, Inc.
Mark met his wife Paula (Dennis) after college, and they married in 1998. He is the proud father of three children—Annie, 20, attending Rutgers University, and John, 18, and Catherine, 14, both in high school.
Despite his academic and professional achievements, Mark’s overriding priority in life was his children. A devoted father, Mark was always in the stands while Annie played basketball at Manasquan high school and AAU. He lent encouragement and support to Catherine’s musical talents as she taught herself bass guitar and joined a band. And he was deeply involved in John’s athletic interests—serving as Defensive Coordinator of John’s Wall AYF football team and helping his “boys” to a national championship!
While words cannot really express the sense of loss felt by those whose lives were touched by Mark, his wife Paula tries to sum up what made this multifaceted man so special: “He was a devoted family man who loved with all his heart. An extremely loyal friend who enjoyed making jokes and laughing with the people he cared for. He will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.”
In addition to his wife and children, Mark is survived by his parents, Mark and Lucille.
The visitation will be held at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd.,Wall on Wednesday, May 26, from 6-9 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catharine’s Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake on Thursday, May 27, at 10:30 AM, followed by burial in St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Wall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a trust fund set up for Mark’s children. Checks can made payable to the “Mako Kids and Family Fund.”
**Due to Covid 19 mandates face covering must still be worn indoors.
For more information or to send condolences please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.
Mark was born May 3, 1971 in Chicago IL, but spent most of his childhood in Queens and Brooklyn.
The only child of Mark and Lucille Mako of Bricktown, NJ, Mark was passionately devoted to football his entire life—playing on scholastic teams from age 9 through college. He graduated St. Francis High School in Queens in 1989. During that time, he was a member of the varsity football team for four years—including two years as team captain—while garnering academic accolades including membership in the National Honors Society.
Following St. Francis, Mark was recruited by Cornell University, again mixing academic and athletic excellence. For all four years, he lent his talents to “Big Red” while maintaining a Fellowship Scholarship. Mark was also an active member of the ChiPsi fraternity.
Graduating in 1993, Mark decided on a career in law, attending New York Law School—working as co-editor of the New York Law School Journal of International Law and Comparative Law while graduating cum laude in 1999. Following graduation, Mark went on to work for several NYC law firms before landing at Giordano O’Halleran and Ciesla in Red Bank, where he was a shareholder partner until the time of his passing.
Mark held membership in the Jersey State Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Mortgage Bankers Association of New York, Inc.
Mark met his wife Paula (Dennis) after college, and they married in 1998. He is the proud father of three children—Annie, 20, attending Rutgers University, and John, 18, and Catherine, 14, both in high school.
Despite his academic and professional achievements, Mark’s overriding priority in life was his children. A devoted father, Mark was always in the stands while Annie played basketball at Manasquan high school and AAU. He lent encouragement and support to Catherine’s musical talents as she taught herself bass guitar and joined a band. And he was deeply involved in John’s athletic interests—serving as Defensive Coordinator of John’s Wall AYF football team and helping his “boys” to a national championship!
While words cannot really express the sense of loss felt by those whose lives were touched by Mark, his wife Paula tries to sum up what made this multifaceted man so special: “He was a devoted family man who loved with all his heart. An extremely loyal friend who enjoyed making jokes and laughing with the people he cared for. He will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.”
In addition to his wife and children, Mark is survived by his parents, Mark and Lucille.
The visitation will be held at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd.,Wall on Wednesday, May 26, from 6-9 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catharine’s Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake on Thursday, May 27, at 10:30 AM, followed by burial in St. Catharine’s Cemetery in Wall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a trust fund set up for Mark’s children. Checks can made payable to the “Mako Kids and Family Fund.”
**Due to Covid 19 mandates face covering must still be worn indoors.
For more information or to send condolences please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.