Mark A. Colabrese

Mark A. Colabrese; Age 72, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 15th with his beloved wife Sandy at his side.  In the preceding days he was supported and surrounded with love, laughter, and storytelling by his children and siblings, reminiscent of the way he brought his family together throughout his life.

 Mark was born on April 25th, 1951.  He is survived by his mother Loretta Colabrese, wife Sandy Colabrese, son Noah (Kristin) Colabrese, daughter Hannah (J.P.) Scanga, grandsons Dominic and Alexander Scanga, brothers Bob (Sheila) Colabrese and John (Cathy) Colabrese, sister Mary Lynn (Tony DeCaria) Colabrese, and his nieces, nephews, family, and friends.  He is preceded in death by his father Alfonso Colabrese and sister Carol Colabrese.

 He touched the lives of many in the roles he embraced, including a loyal son, oldest sibling, devoted husband, and loving father and Pap Pap.  To say he was dedicated to his family and friends is an understatement.  Mark could always be counted upon for support, advice, or a witty remark.  Hosting family parties and vacationing at his mother’s home in Florida were a few of the ways that he kept his family close and at the front of his heart and mind.  The family bonds were deepened by his unique strength of bringing everyone together, whether near or far.  Mark also enjoyed time with friends from high school, college, and beyond, including golf outings, running sports pools for them with his brother Bob, and celebrating important events.

 Enrolling in West Virginia University in 1969, Mark achieved a Bachelor of Science in Statistics followed by an MBA.   This established a family tradition, as many Colabreses pursued their education at WVU and even more became fans of Mountaineer sports.  While his fandom for Mountaineer football and basketball began these collegiate years, it grew to new heights after graduation.  For decades, he traveled down those country roads to Morgantown to attend countless home games with Sandy and later with his children, Noah and Hannah.  This enthusiasm will carry on, as any visit to Morgantown will be filled with the memories made and inspire new experiences.

 Mark met his wife Sandy in May 1972 and from their first hours on that blind date he was already enamored of her.  His devotion and love continued to shine through in the early months of their relationship when he would travel home from college every weekend to see her.  Their love blossomed and he asked her to be his wife that Christmas.  Mark and Sandy married June 9, 1973 and last year he celebrated 50 years of marriage with the woman he described as his best friend.

 Mark cherished his children and supported them in all their endeavors.  Never absent from an ice hockey game or tournament, basketball game, dance recital, performance, or event, Noah and Hannah knew that they could look out and see him focusing all his energy on them.  With his wealth of life experience and knowledge, he bestowed many wisdoms to his children who will now carry on his character through their actions and interactions.

 Mark had an accomplished professional career, utilizing his business acumen to ultimately achieve and excel in an executive role.  But Mark’s keen sense and intelligence was evident beyond his scholastic and occupational achievements in calculating sports statistics, completing crosswords in pen, building countless jigsaw puzzles with his wife, and challenging his daughter in spirited rounds of Jeopardy!

 He was an avid runner throughout his life, beginning as a track star at Mon Valley Catholic High School and later completing the Pittsburgh marathon in just over 3 hours.  Later, his amazing feats included a greater than 3,000 day running streak, uninterrupted by his schedule or the weather.

 A passionate sports fan, Mark’s favorite teams were the West Virginia Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Pirates.  Having attended more than 40 consecutive Pirates home openers, he followed the team from Forbes Field to Three Rivers Stadium and finally to PNC Park.  Cheering on these teams with a great number of family and friends, it is certain that they will always save him a seat.

 While he will be greatly missed, he will be more greatly remembered.  Through the countless retelling of his life’s stories, Mark’s boundless spirit will be threaded through the lives of his family and friends.

 Visitation will be held at R. D. Copeland Funeral Home, Ltd – Irvine Chapel, 702 Beaver Street, Sewickley on Thursday, April 18th from 2:00-4:00 PM and from 6:00-8:00 PM, where a funeral prayer will be held on Friday, April 19th at 10 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. James Church, Divine Redeemer Parish, 200 Walnut Street, Sewickley PA, 15143 at 10:30 AM. Donations in Mark’s name are welcomed in care of his family, which will be directed to charitable causes important to Mark.

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