Monday, March 9, 2026
I am very sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Mark interned in Oneonta with my husband, Joseph D. Raymond. Joe became Mark’s mentor and passed onto him the vast knowledge of accounting he gathered while working for one of the big six accounting firms in NYC for many years. Joe told Mark he was very smart and that if he wanted to become a well-rounded CPA, he needed to go work in a big city for at least 10 years, which is why he moved to the Buffalo area. Joe was so proud of the accountant Mark became. They stayed in touch for several years; until Joe passed away in 2003 from cancer. Joe spoke to Mark about taking over his practice when he died, and Mark honored his wishes. During the transition, I worked with Mark for a while. I was also proud of the man and accountant he became. I did laugh though when I saw Mark fire clients that gave him tsuris, the Yiddish word for trouble, distress, or aggravation. Her had no patience for them. Mark loved Joe and considered him a good friend. When we met over the years after Joe’s death, Mark would tell me he visited Joe’s grave to talk to him every time he visited his father’s (and then mother’s) graves. As is Jewish tradition, Mark would always put a stone on Joe’s headstone to show he visited. Marek will leave a void in many of us for years to come. It was an honor to know him. Susanne Raymond
