Obituary of Augustus Joseph Mark

Augustus J. Mark Sidney, NY Augustus J. Mark, 80, of Sidney, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at his home in Sidney surrounded by his loving family. Born on February 10, 1932, as Frank R. Young to Louis S. and Anna T. Young in Oneonta, NY, he was adopted by Theodore and Teresa Mark of College Point, LI, NY, and given the family name of Augustus J. Mark, also referred to as Gus. Gus graduated from Laurens Central School where he played baseball and football, lettering in both sports. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Gus went to Utica, NY, where he enlisted with the US Navy. Gus served for four years in a variety of assignments, and was honorably discharged on March 1, 1955. Following his discharge, Gus drove cab in Norfolk, VA until he began work as a VA State Police Officer. In January of 1957, Gus returned to New York and was appointed as a NYS Trooper assigned with Troop A in Batavia, NY. In July of that year, Gus transferred to Troop C at Sidney and for the next 20 odd years, worked at many of the different stations within the troop. His last 7 years were spent in Communications as an assistant to the supervisor because of his knowledge of radio communications and the holder of an FCC License. As a result of mutual friends, he met Joan R. Leal of Delhi, NY and they were married on August 25, 1958. Gus and Joan raised five children: Timothy, Eliza, Terry, Sandra and Donald, over the next 20 years. Joan predeceased Gus on March 7, 1984. In September 1987, for lack of something to do, Gus signed up for a conversational German class to improve his German skills. It was in this class that Gus met Ms. Letitia A. (Letty) Barber of Walton, NY. Both completed the class and were eventually married on July 2, 1988 in Sidney. Letty survives him at home. In addition to his wife, Gus is also survived by: Five children: Timothy and Mary Mark of Cincinnatus, NY, Eliza "Lisa" and Ronald Hadden of Sidney, Terry and Craig Niles of Mt. Upton, Sandra Mark of Sidney and Donald Mark of Sidney. 2 step-daughters, Andree and Bill and Tracy and John, and a step-son, Donald Barber 2 brothers Edward and Jan Larsen of Jefferson, NY and Frank and Theresa Larsen of Sidney Sister, Mary Ann and Robert Finch of Colorado As well as 18 grandchildren. Gus was predeceased by 5 brothers and sisters in addition to his first wife, Joan. Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 9:00 to 11:00am at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel 21 Main Street Sidney. Graveside services with military honors will follow at 11:00 am in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gus may be directed to the Corporal R.H. Arrandale VFW Post 7914, 133 West Main St. Sidney, NY 13838 or to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr. Oneonta, NY 13820. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.