Mark John Jurcisin, 64, of Robbinsville passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023 in his longtime home of Plainsboro, NJ.
Mark was born in Passaic, NJ to John and Betty Jurcisin, and grew up in Wayne, NJ. His formative years in Wayne were spent making memories alongside his lifelong friends John Capella, Kevin Murphy, Mark Spina, and Bill Merritt–stories of which he would share with his children for decades.
While initially looking to pursue a career in technology, Mark ultimately chose to nurture his passion for music, going on to eventually earn a Doctor of Musical Arts (a degree that he lovingly referred to as his “Doesn’t Mean Anything” degree). Following this achievement, Mark spent a long and fulfilling career as a professor at Mercer County Community College, where he taught music theory, composition, and musicianship. He left his impact not only through his contribution to the MCCC jazz program, but also through his meaningful and long-lasting relationships with both colleagues and students. While he could be tough in the classroom, Mark’s devotion to his students' education, as well as his passion for the music itself, were invaluable hallmarks of the college’s music program.
Mark was predeceased by his father, John Jurcisin, and his nephew, Jacob Brodsky.
Mark lived an incredibly quiet but overwhelmingly rich life, filled with individuals who thought the world of him. To know Mark deeply was to absolutely adore him. Those who had the privilege of being prominent fixtures in his life included his best friend Bill Merrit, with whom he would celebrate any and every occasion with lemon drops, dancing to Peggy Lee’s “Lover”, and laughter; his mother, Betty Jurcisin, his sister Lynn Brodsky, niece Hannah, and nephew Ben, with whom he would enjoy red wine, Jarts, and game nights–the latter of which evolved into a mandatory part of every family gathering; and his two children Olivia and Christopher Jurcisin who held the honor of growing up with a father who was unequivocally doting, hilarious, understanding, and deeply involved.
Mark filled his life doing things that brought him joy–frequently hiking with his brother-in-law and longtime friend, Greg Bonsignore, involuntarily collecting wine, and spending uninterrupted quality time with his loved ones.
He will be universally remembered as the funniest person in the room.
To anyone who never had the absolute pleasure of knowing Mark Jurcisin…I’m sorry for your loss.