Mark G. Sember, 49, of Lockport, N.Y. and formerly of Jamestown, N.Y. died Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at his residence of natural causes. He was born February 21, 1968 in Jamestown, N.Y., the son of Sally Swanson Sember Kelly and the late John Sember. Mark was a 1986 graduate of Jamestown High School and earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from Buffalo State College. Mark previously worked at Transitional Services, Inc. inBuffalo, N.Y. as a supervisor for many years and for the past two years at Hillside Family of Agencies in Lockport, N.Y. Mark was passionate about his family. He loved music, guitar playing, reading and spiritual wellness. Mark was known for being devoted to his family, was a caring, loving and compassionate father, son, brother and friend to all.
Mark is survived by his son, Eric Sember of Lockport, N.Y., his mother and stepfather, Sally and Jim Kelly of New Smyrna Beach, FL. and Lockport, N.Y., brothers – John Sember of Altamonte Springs, FL., Steve Sember of New Smyrna Beach, FL., stepsisters – Debra Hopkins of Celina, TX., Barbara Kauffman of Philadelphia, PA., and step niece –Maudie Kauffman of Texas and an Aunt, Marilyn Drayer of Warren, PA and three cousins – Rick Drayer of Warren, PA., Matthew Drayer of Morgantown, WV., and David Drayer of Brooklyn, NY..
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA., on Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 4 to 7 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Friday, February 16, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, Pa., with Fr. Richard Tomasone, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through The Mockingbird Foundation, 12407 Willow Grove Court, Moorpark, CA 93021-2758 E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting ww.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
My thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of Mark Sember. Though I have only known Mark for a few years as we were co-workers at Hillside, Mark certainly left a powerful impression on me. He was a compassionate, hard working, caring and thoughtful man. He believed in what he was doing in his work with Children and families and desired to make a difference in all that he did. He will be missed by all that knew him. RIP Mark and know that you left a lasting impression on those who crossed your path. Peace and Hope will sustain those of us who will miss you!
Thank you so much for your words about Mark. He thought so highly of all his colleagues.
The first word that comes to mind to describe Mark is genuine. I worked with him for 20 years at TSI. Every time I encountered him, he was positive, supportive, thoughtful, kind, and funny. He cared for the residents he served, and the employees he supervised. He gave so much to those around him and made an impact on many. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, co-workers, residents, children and families he served, and all who encountered him. The loss of Mark Sember will be felt for many years to come. I am thankful the TSI family had the privilege of knowing Mark. You will be missed.
Thank you. Your words about Mark mean so much.
My prayers and hugs go out to Mark’s family. I have known him for over 20 years and will always cherish his friendship. I will remember him for his deep insight into life, his love for hamburgers,pizza, guitars and his crazy funny dreams that he would tell me about. Always upbeat, happy and caring! One more angel added to heaven.
Sounds so like Mark. Thanks for sharing with us.
Mark joined me as my daughters case manager a little over a year ago. He walked into a standoffish 15yr old that had recently attempted sucicide twice. Mark was patient and genuine. He brought with him a silent confidence, calming voice, and sense of reasoning. No matter how much my daughter pushed back, Mark kept pushing her forward. He was invested, caring, compassionate and a direct reason why my daughter is still here. We love Mark,my daughter loves Mark, and are entire family is saddened by this news. Not many people can get close to my daughter where she will share her feelings. He was able to break down those barriers and get her to begin to trust. No one will ever understand the full impact he has had on our family. We will be thinking of all his friends and family and hoping for peace for each of you. To his children…..I’m sure you know how special your dad was. I want to make sure that you and your family know that he saved my daughters life!!! For that…I will be forever in his debt. Thank you Mark for caring for those children that need someone just like you! Our hearts are full and heavy but we will take peace in knowing you will continue to watch over all of us❤️
Thanks, Tina for visiting with us last Thursday and thank your beautiful daughter Madison,as well. Thank you for all you have done to ease our pain. Keep on keeping on Madison. Mark will be watching over you.
God bless and keep you Mark
Thank you,Tricia.
Mark was always a bright ray of sunshine. I also worked with Mark at TSI and I remember his endearing smile and his warm and caring attitude. May his kindness and thoughtfulness be remembered always. Prayers and deepest condolences to all his friends and family that miss him!
Thanks, Julie. He was a ray of sunshine to us all.
It deeply saddens me that I must say farewell to a friend and colleague, who left this mortal life far too soon. But, it is people like Mark, who (pun intended) leaves a mark. And it is that positive energy, that Mark always fostered that will be remembered and that will remain his legacy for all of us that were privileged to know him.
To spend five minutes with Mark and experience his zest for life and the positive attitude he possessed would make all your problems, distress and sadness just vanish. He knew that the tough times would re-appear. After all, he was a realist. He carried on his life with no illusions. I would joke with him that he managed to “steal the magic of youth”. While the rest of us lost our hair and gave in to Mother Nature aging us, Mark kept his youthfulness. I even called him Dorian Gray because his youthfulness belied his age. But, unlike Dorian Gray, Mark had a kind and gentle soul that matched his warm and tender heart. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone and anything. This was a quality that I admired and wished that I could foster.
His trust in people was complete and with reservation. Once you became Mark’s friend, he made it a point to reach out and touch base with you. I now fondly recall the countless conversations we had after my son, Sean died. The phone would ring and there would be Mark, asking nothing, except to know that I was ok and offering his support, even if it just to chat about work, which we shared in common. Yet, I knew the reason for his call. When my wife Cindy got ill, there again was Mark, just reassuring and supportive as ever. He asked for nothing in return, except to know that I would be re-assured that everything will work out and that he was there if I needed him.
I know he had his own moments of self doubt and I knew that he was well aware of his imperfections. But, while we would often discuss them, he was more concerned about making things better for me and others than discussing his own problems. His wry, often self effacing humor, would downplay his own difficulties. All he wanted was for me to tell him a joke. He was, in fact, my best audience. He laughed at the worst of my jokes. And that is what made him unique.
Mark Sember was a man who had love, compassion, care and humility, among his many gifts, (including “that damn handsome boyishness”) that he shared so unselfishly with others. We can all learn from that and from him. Unfortunately, he was not given the gift of a long life. But, the mere fact that he lived and touched so many people, so unselfishly is the most important aspect of Mark’s life. The life that should and will be a legacy to follow for all those who he touched in this life.
I will remember him with love and gratitude. He made a difference. Few like Mark Sember come along in a life time. We are all blessed for having him share a part of his life, compassion and wisdom with us. Rest in Peace, my friend. Until we meet again…..Thank you and God Speed on your journey home.
Oh, wow. Thank you. Dorian Gray was mentioned in one of Mark’s favorite songs of all time.
Your beautiful words about your memories of Mark have touched all of us.Thank you for sharing such wonderful memories with us. To know Mark touched so many lives in such a special way brings much comfort to us, his family.
There are no words that would Express how I truly feel of a loss of such a life long Friend as Mark. Mark brought the best out of everyone and everything. He was the most in lighting brilliant minded person I have ever met . Mark was a philosopher deep thinking alway brought it out with his music . I look up to him for his insight his compation for all living things . I guess that’s what made him so good at his Job. He truly cared no matter what people said or done. Mark would smile with that great ear to ear grin and say it’s all good. I’ll miss you my friend more then word will say. I will play the songs that were the wisdom you sought threw life. God has a special place for you I know it .
You were a special friend to Mark. Thanks for being there,Don.
I worked with Mark for about 4 years beginning in mid/late 2011, and the energy of the staff and residents changed from downtrodden to hopeful upon his arrival as supervisor. The transformation was achieved solely through Mark’s conscientiousness and hard work, and his ability to make everyone feel respected, thought of, and taken care of. As his employee, I also appreciated his sense of personal dignity/ethic toward work, his often-keen humor, and that he truly cared to get to know his employees personally. He would ask specifically about hobbies, personal life, personal philosophies, etc. because he was genuinely interested.
We shared in common enjoyment of bike riding, and music – playing guitar, going to concerts, and listening to music. As someone averse to authority, he was the first boss I truly connected with personally. He was a talented composer of acoustic guitar/classical style guitar songs. He got me into Phish. His letter of recommendation helped me get into graduate school. Once when discussing with him my career goals, Mark lamented that he would have liked to have become a park ranger because he wanted to spend all of his time in nature. I wished I’d told him then that he was needed in his chosen career – one he served so uniquely well.
I was particularly positively impressed by the way Mark talked about his son. My understanding is that Mark’s son is about 5-7 years younger than me (I’m 31). I recall him describing the joy he took from a jam session – he said something about how incredible it was to improvise and be creative musically with someone who he spawned, held as a newborn, and watched grow up. It sounded like the intimacy of being a father enhanced the intimacy of jamming and improvising with someone (and vice versa), and this kind of personal contact seemed to be what Mark thrived on. He had such a great sense of pride in his son, and in sharing his love of music with his son. The way that he talked about his son is how every father should.
My prayers and condolences to Mark’s family.
Thank you, Brian, for taking the time to share your memories of Mark with his family. Your words touched our hearts. Eric,his son, especially will take comfort in hearing of Mark’s expression of pride and love.
I had the pleasure of working with Mark for about 2 years before he left TSI. I was a brand new counselor in the field, and Mark offered nothing but support and encouragement. I am at a loss of words to express the hugely positive impact that Mark had on my life. I can remember sitting in our RC office debating on whether or not to submit my graduate school application, and Mark cheering me on and reassuring me that he and my TSI family would be there to support me on my way. I genuinely don’t believe that I would not still be in the mental health field if I hadn’t had Mark’s guidance and support. Mark never failed to bring cheesy dad jokes or Key and Peele references into the workplace, and make us all feel at home. Mark also encouraged me to buy my first Jeep, and was almost as excited as I was when I picked it up and brought it to work for the first time.
Mark you will be so dearly missed by your family, friends, co-workers, and clients. It is apparent now more than ever the impact that your life has had on countless others. Your family and friends are in my thoughts are prayers. I hope you’re up in heaven looking down on all of us with a guitar and your Friday night pizza.
Love,
Alyssa
Alyssa, thank you for sharing your memories of Mark with us. It means so much,especially at this time,to hear about Mark’s impact on those whose lives he touched.
My prayers go out to Sally and the entire family. Having just lost Helen about 9 months ago…I know that there are no words that can heal the hole in your heart. All I can offer you is something that gave me comfort after Helen passed and hope it brings you some comfort as well…
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship, at my side spreads it’s white sails to the moving breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
It’s an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch it until, at length, it hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, “There, it’s gone.”
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. It is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as it was when it left my side.
And, it is just as able to bear it’s load of living freight to it’s destined port.
It’s diminished size is in me — not in the ship.
And, just at the moment when someone says, “There, it’s gone,”
there are other eyes watching it coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, “Here it comes!”
Thank you, Bill, for the words of condolence and for the beautiful passage you sent to me and my family. I can well understand the comfort it has brought you and I appreciate so much that you shared it with us. The words have helped immensely. Peace be with you as well, as I am certain your loss of Helen will always be with you.
This is John and Steve Sember, Mark’s brothers. We wanted to thank everyone who came down to Warren from the Buffalo area for the visitation and funeral. We had no idea that the turnout would be so large from Buffalo, which is one of the reasons why we had arranged for services to be in Warren instead of Lockport. (We grew up in Jamestown, but Warren is the hometown of our grandparents and mother and is where we spent a great amount of time as children.) The fact that so many people made the four-hour round-trip drive is another testament to Mark’s legacy. Thank you!
Dear Sally – I was so sorry to learn of your loss of Mark. I was a teacher at Washington Middle School, and also had John as a teacher.
Thank you, Rosemary, for your kind expression of sympathy.
I am still so saddened by the loss of Mark. Many loving thoughts and prayers to your friends and family. Happy Heavenly Birthday.
Thank you, Cassandra. We miss him so much.
“My Deepest Condolences go out to the Sember family, I hope you find comfort in these words, “He will swallow up death forever,……And will wipe away the tears from all faces. Isaiah 25:8. Trust in Jehovah’s promise of the resurrection hope. jw.org
Thinking about you today on Father’s Day, Mark. I miss you