Obituary of Mark A. Wainwright

Mark Wainwright, 49, of Homer, passed away March 1, 2013 at his home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease). He was born July 15, 1963. Mark was raised and educated in Marathon graduating from Marathon Central School in 1982. He was a graduate of Broome Community College and SUNY Cortland receiving a Bachelors degree in Business Communications. Mark had been employed at UPS for over twenty-five years as a supervisor. Mark's two passions in life were basketball and coaching his sons. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycling, car racing, being on the lake and the many friendships that were developed through the years. He is survived by his sons Ryan and Justin Wainwright, his wife Lori (Tankalavage), step-daughters MacKenzie and Kassidy Kievit, his parents Jack and Nancy Wainwright, his sisters and brothers-in-law Laurie and David McEvoy, Lisa and George Trerrotola, nieces and nephews including Michael Trerrotola, Hannah and Gillian McEvoy and many other close relatives. Calling hours are Monday(today) 4-7 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland NY 13045. Funeral services will be Tuesday 11 am at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home. Spring burial will be at the Glenwood Cemetery, Homer NY. Contributions may be made to Caring Community Hospice of Cortland, 11 Kennedy Pkwy, Cortland NY 13045, or ALS Assoc. Upstate NY Chapter, 890 7th North St., Suite 108, Liverpool NY, 13088, or MDA, Syracuse District, 6493 Ridings Rd., Syracuse NY, 13026. To offer on line condolences visit www.wright-beard.com Our thoughts are with you. I got to know Mark mainly through the friendship our sons have, Ryan and Beck. He was a good person and will be missed. We regret that we cannot attend his services. Please accept our condolences. Andy and Mary Lundeen Very sorry to hear about the loss of Mark and my condolences to his friends and family. Worked with him in Binghamton for a while and it was a real pleasure as he was a great guy. Wish you all the best in your time of grief. Micah Yonkoski To the Wainwright Family: So saddened by the loss of Mark. He was a dear, dear friend and will be missed so much by all of those that knew him and loved him. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this time of grief. Pamela King Cook So sorry to hear of Mark's passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Sorry for your loss Heather (Blythe) Galvin Dear Mr and Mrs Wainwright, Laurie and Dave, Lisa and George, I was on my way back from Quebec when I learned of Mark's passing. It is with a heavy heart and a nervous hand that I try to convey my deepest sympathy in a manner which would honor Mark. Mark and I rarely talked about basketball or any sports in particular, but rather the discussion always centered around how each other was doing, how our families were and how work was going. I think it was refreshing for both of us , since as I was living north of the Boston area and my trips home were on occasion, the personal stories always trumped the sports stories. Now the nervousness that I must admit, and that is thatwhen I heard the news my heart sank the same way as when Ron Smith passed away when I was 17. I know it is because there are few people who we know thru life as friends from a town such as Marathon who leave such a lasting impression on a person. Mark was one such person. I will always remember Mark in the fondest of ways and pray that Gods grace will hold him as dearly as those of us who grew up with him. Gods blessing and strength to all as we honor Mark. With kindest regards, Roger and Beth Parker I am sorry for your loss. Mark was a great guy. May God bless him, and welcome him into the kingdom of heaven. Eric J. Maki We had the honor of knowing Mark through racing and as co-workers at UPS. He was a great guy that always wore the biggest smile. He will be greatly missed. Thoughts go out to his entire family at this difficult time. Brent & Kim Wilcox P Mark ! Enjoyed all the races and talks we had ! Gonna miss Ya ! gary roberts Sorry for your lose, Mark was a good friend and boss and will be greatly missed -- Daniel Coots. Back in the early 90's when Mark came to Oneonta with UPS I learned almost immediately what a great/special person Mark was . My daughter(Janet) who at the time was 6yrs old was believed to have a cancerous tumor in her left leg which required surgery leaving her in a wheel chair for nearly 6 months.Each week after my daughters surgery Mark made it a point to call the house & take us out for lunch( of course we went to Ponderosa so Mark could get enough to eat). I never forgot how good Mark was to my daughter & myself nor did my daughter who is now 24 , my daughter often asked about Mark over the last several months many times asking me why such a good person was afflicted by such a terrible disease & as her dad I felt helpless not being able to provide her with an answer . I do know that heaven is now a much better place with Mark there, I always felt blessed that Mark touched the lifes of myself & family.Mr & Mrs Wainright thank you for raising such a fine son, Mark was the best!!! My thoughts , prayers and love are with all of you. Sincerely Everett Baroni To the Wainwright Family, We are sorry to hear about the passing of Mark, he will be surely missed Rick & Renee Neiderman My thought and prayers go out to the family of Mark. He was a great Man, friend and UPSer. He will be greatly missed. He carried himself in a way that made other people feel better. Brian Gillingham ...Our thoughts are with you all at this very had time. God Bless : Jeff & Karol Hill Dearest Wainwright family....I just found out that your very special, loving, caring and most wonderful family member, Mark, passed away. My utmost deepest condolences go out to each and everyone of you. (Being a good friend of his sister Laurie in high school)I remember Mark in earlier days as the "little brother," so full of energy and life, very inquisative, adventurous and into sports. In his adult years I would often see him behind the wheel of his UPS truck, always with a smile on his face! On the street, he was always talkative, very social and friendly to all! My heart and soul relate to your profound loss (I too, lost a wonderful sibling 18 months ago from cancer). If there is ever ANYTHING I can do for your family, please don't hesitate to ask. Mark's physical presence in this world will truly be missed. Respectfully, Berta To the Wainwright family. My deepest condolences go out to you. Mark was a great co-worker, and truly great man. He touched so many lives in such a positive way. You will be missed. Roger Bousquet Never played basketball with Mark, just know I've seldom had a passing acquaintance with a man who always greeted me with a kind, welcoming smile as Mark did. I always appreciated it, every time it happened. Joe Pullman and family Mark was a God-send to those of us who seek and are nourished by the inherent goodness in others. I knew him but lightly thru our association at UPS, but I found much safety in that signature smile, and in the depth of his decency. His attitude in and about the workplace was for me very attractive; the kind of positive energy one wants to absorb and at least try to emulate. He was for so many a truly reliable source of buoyancy in a business that can get quite heavy in a hurry. My wife Donna joins me in saluting and celebrating Mark's very meaningful life. May all his loved ones find comfort and solace in God's healing grace. scott igler