Mark Thomas McMenamy

Mark Thomas McMenamy, 71, of Florham Park, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with cancer, on February 25, 2024.

Mark was born in Summit, New Jersey at Overlook Hospital, where he always noted Meryl Streep was born. The youngest of five children of a close-knit Irish family, he willingly participated in all that his family enjoyed including chess, bridge and piano, but most of all golf, The Red Sox and reading history, which all became lifelong passions. One of his greatest joys was the Red Sox World Series win in 2004, breaking the “Curse of the Bambino!”

Mark was a 1971 graduate of Summit High School (a proud Hilltopper) and graduated as a Magna Cum Laude History Major, from Tufts University, 1975. He went on to earn a law degree from Rutgers Law, Class of 1980 and was an editor of the Rutgers Law Review. Upon graduating from law school, Mark proudly served as a law clerk for the Honorable Herman D. Michaels, Presiding Appellate Division Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey. Following his clerkship, Mark entered private practice specializing in civil litigation. In 1987, he became a Principal Partner at Bressler, Amery and Ross, in Florham Park. He was certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey and was recognized for many consecutive years in “New Jersey Super Lawyers.”

Mark loved the practice of law and was dedicated to achieving the best possible results for his clients. His devotion to his clients often resulted in lasting friendships. He loved to introduce himself, to family and friends, with tongue firmly in cheek “Mark Thomas McMenamy, Attorney at Law.” His greatest passion, however, was for his family. Shortly after graduating law school, Mark had the good fortune of meeting Diane “Dede” Blake, in his favorite after workweek pub, McGovern’s. Dede quickly became the love of his life and she shared his passion for travel--but not his passion for golf.  (That would later change.) Following their marriage in 1982, they took a trip to Ireland that cemented their shared love of their Irish Heritage.

Mark and Dede were blessed with two sons, Devin and Conor, whom he loved with all his heart. Mark became involved in their numerous sports activities, first as a soccer coach and many of his former players fondly remember the encouragement he gave them, never criticizing their play, but helping them get better at the game. He was an avid supporter of his sons’ local and traveling ice hockey teams, attending countless hockey games and tournaments, both near and far. During Park Hockey high school games, he could often be heard yelling from the stands “INCOMING!” when Defenseman Scott Green and Mike Formichella, would wind up for a shot from the blue line! Park Hockey players fondly remember his devotion to the team.

Mark and family took many trips together, doing several trips out west, to many of the National Parks. Their trips took them up and down the east coast, not only for hockey but for enjoyment. Mark and Dede took trips to the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Hawaii and Mexico with their kids and then, as a couple, headed to Italy, Paris, The Netherlands, New Orleans, Charleston, Asheville, Nashville and San Diego. They took a family trip to Hawaii, for their nephew’s wedding, which they counted as one of their most precious memories! Their planned cruise down the Danube for last October, was cancelled by Mark’s diagnosis.

Mark and Dede hosted numerous gatherings at their home celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, along with fun Halloween and St. Paddy’s Day celebrations. Some of Mark’s Halloween costumes were legendary, usually playing the opposite to Dede. His appearance as “Danny,” from Grease brought gales of laughter to his friends, along with many other characters along the way. He was always game to get a laugh.

Mark was a devoted “Bapu” to his four beautiful grandchildren: Cam, Adri, Asher and Lucas. He loved reading books to them, playing any game-imaginary or real and, sitting next to them, teaching them the keys on the piano and letting them play.

He gave great piggyback rides and was an avid swing pusher, slide catcher, ball- thrower and bubble blower, along with providing travels around the pool, holding his grands with his “massive shoulders.”

Mark will always be remembered by his family and friends for his ready smile and twinkle in his eye. He was a natural born storyteller, with a warm and engaging personality, a wonderful sense of humor (yes, there were even Dad Jokes!) and an incredible memory. Even as his health declined, he amused his family and friends with hilarious stories. One of the best involved his “Hole in One,” which nobody saw! It did save him from having to buy a round of drinks for the club. Whenever he was asked how he was, he would answer: “I’m short, smart and incredibly handsome.” His agreement to anything was: “100%!” Whenever he would take his leave of family, he would quote his Uncle Jim’s “God love you, Cuz!” As a former salesman for Gillette razor blades, he once had to squire a former Miss America to a corporate event. He couldn’t resist asking her to dinner. Of course, she shot him down, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Mark is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Dede, his cherished sons, Devin (Fabiola Bayona) and Conor (Danielle McMenamy) and his treasured grandchildren, Cameron, Asher, Adriana and Lucas. He is also survived by his siblings, Edward (Earlene), Mary Lou Parker (Tom), Joseph (Kristyne), and sister-in-law, Peggy McMenamy, brother-in-law, Theodore Blake and sister-in-law, Ellen Blake, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and devoted golf buddies, including Chip Mount and Alex Wesolowski.

Mark was predeceased by his parents, Edward L. McMenamy, Sr. and Margaret Cruise McMenamy and his dear brother, Thomas, with whom he shared a great love of Rutger’s football and basketball.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, New Jersey, from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The memorial funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 1, at 10:00 a.m, at Holy Family Church, 1 Lloyd Avenue, Florham Park, New Jersey 07932.

Donations in Mark's memory may be made to the Rutgers Law School Deans Fund- Newark, by sending a check payable to "Rutgers University Foundation," PO Box 193, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0193 (include "WMHMMCME" in memo field) or online using this: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/rls-nwk-dean- fund/1123.html/?src=WMHMMCME
   

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