Mark Rhonemus, 53, of Huntington, NY

Mark left us far too soon, but not before filling 53 years with laughter, love, and an endless appetite for life’s best moments—travel, great food, and even better company.

Growing up near Seattle, Mark was exposed to cattle raising, driving tractors, and cutting firewood on his grandparents’ ranch. He was an early computer enthusiast and an equally enthusiastic garage band guitarist. His adventurous spirit emerged early—he loved trains and as soon as he was old enough to travel on his own, he did so extensively, including taking a train across Russia, riding horses in Mongolia, studying abroad in Hong Kong, and living in Berlin (where he developed his love of electronic music) and Paris. He drove across the US following bikers en route from Seattle to the Olympics in Atlanta for a charity event (there’s a YouTube video to prove it!). He traveled through Europe, Nepal, Bali—where he caught fish and had them grilled on the street—Thailand, Australia, Japan, and even drank snake blood in China. He brought that same sense of adventure to everything he did, taking his grandmother on a wild white water rafting trip in Costa Rica she never would have done on her own.

Mark graduated with a business degree from Seattle University and later earned his MBA from Fordham Gabelli School of Business. He met his beloved Laura at UGO Networks in 2000, and it was the beginning of a love story fueled by her ginormous spirit and wild laugh. Mark never stopped lighting up when Laura shined. Their partnership was everything—loud and joyful, but also perfect in the silent moments where their love was purest. Together, they created a beautiful family: Julianna with her creative and curious spirit and incredible knowledge of animals—she and her dad were always on the search for the perfect sunset wherever they were, gazing at the stars to spot planets or admire a beautiful moon (though Mark usually had to catch the sunrises by himself). Donovan with his love of adventure and roller coasters (a passion he clearly inherited from his dad—Donovan even convinced him to tackle the Beehive hike in Acadia National Park, despite Mark’s fear of heights). Shae with his passion for cooking (a trait he shared with his dad, the breakfast champion and BBQ host extraordinaire)—Mark helped drive Shae’s commitment to become an Environmental Beautification Ambassador for his fencing club and spearhead the Adopt a Highway program for his club. Mark encouraged Ainsley’s passion for theater, taking her to see Hamilton twice on Broadway, celebrating her fiery determination and insane toughness inherited from her mama. All his kids shared his love of computers, funny movies, hibachi but mostly his love of being surrounded with family and friends.

Mark was a giant kid himself, entrenched in every practice, concert, and game. He celebrated every milestone, every win and loss, always listening to Laura’s play-by-play of their kids’ lives. He worked as a financial application and technology advisor at Ernst and Young, which allowed him to continue indulging his passion for travel around the world—a love he eagerly shared with Laura and the kids. He remained a devoted Seattle Seahawks fan, making many trips to attend games with his brother Todd—his confidante and Seahawks-Mariners partner in crime. Even surrounded by Yankees, Giants, and Knicks fans after marrying into the Waters family, Mark never forgot where he came from, though he took the ribbing with good humor from his brothers-in-law. He loved The Simpsons and brought that same sense of humor to everything he did.

Mark loved a bourbon or IPA around the campfire, family trips to Florida, to National Parks, the Northeast coast, Hawaii with his parents and kids, and adventures near water—pools, fishing, any excuse to be near it. He was a superb trip planner, the family IT consultant, and someone who never met an exotic meal or bloody mary he didn’t appreciate. But mostly, Mark loved Laura’s giant laugh, Julianna’s soulful spirit, Donovan’s sense of adventure, Shae’s caring heart, and Ainsley’s competitive fire.

To know Mark was to know pure, happy laughs and unconditional friendship. He greeted everyone with a giant smile and a quick IPA to follow.

Mark is survived by his wife Laura, their children Julianna, Donovan, Shae, and Ainsley, his parents Phyllis and Robert of Everett, WA, his brother Todd (Emily), his mother-in-law Jeanne Waters, his brothers-in-law Tim (Katie) and John (Amy), many nieces and nephews who adored his fun spirit, and aunts, uncles, and cousins who will cherish memories of his youth. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Harold and Ruth Knutson and Wilber Dean and Ida Ruth Rhonemus, and father-in-law, John Waters.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, October 15th from 7-9 PM at M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 16th at St. Elizabeth’s in South Huntington, NY at 10:30 AM. Private interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.