Help Support Family After Tragic Loss

On the eve of Thanksgiving, after a beautiful day spent with family, my sister Cindy and husband Mark sat on the couch to enjoy a slice of pie. Mark, being the hard worker he was went to get ready for his night shift as a corrections officer in Attica, NY. Mark often worked nights to spend more time at home with his girls, Natasha, 12 and Kayla, 7.

Just before departing for the evening, Mark collapsed suddenly while letting out a fearful cry for help. Cindy found him breathless with a worried expression as he held onto her while she called 911 and looked into his eyes for the last time to whisper, “I love you.”

As Mark lost consciousness, Cindy bravely performed CPR on the love of her life until medical personnel arrived. He was lost to us despite their efforts to save him for over an hour.

Saying goodbye to Mark has been incomprehensible. There are no words left to describe the broken heartedness of Cindy and her two little girls. The sudden loss of Mark's strong and loving spirit has forever changed us. His failing heart left a void in ours that can never be filled.

The long journey ahead has begun for Cindy to navigate life without her best friend.

Mark loved his family and took pride in being the primary provider for them.

In his absence, we hope to ease the financial burden of upcoming funeral and living expenses after this overwhelming and sudden loss.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to please support the family here in this heart-wrenching time.

Cindy would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support thus far; it means the world to her and her girls.