Mark Stephen Syrnick was born June 2,1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Esther Gilmour Syrnick and Joseph Syrnick.  He was the second son in the family of four boys – Joe, Mark, Timmy and Blaise.  As he would often say, "We didn't have a lot of money, but our parents gave us everything."  The first items he would usually list were the things many young boys would wish for – a baseball glove and bat, fishing pole and numerous pieces of sports equipment. He would quickly switch gears to the things that mattered most – love and character.  His parents were his greatest role models – Esther for her love of reading and rapid wit, and Joseph for his kind, steady, strength.  He grew up in Manayunk, a small Philadelphia neighborhood, surrounded by his Ukranian and Irish/English grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He was anchored in his family.

After completing his undergraduate degree in La Salle University in Philadelphia, he headed to law school at Memphis State University on full scholarship. He loved the law.  With his insatiable curiosity, sharp analysis, and fearless determination, he began testing his skills in the courtroom after his first year of law school while spending time at the New Jersey shore in Ocean City.  Friends who had rented a house were victims of an aggressive landlord and a law enforcement officer with a grudge. This was the first of many legal representations he would make for family and friends who needed help. He always responded when the phone call came, legal pad and favorite pen in hand.  He had an ability to take salient notes and ask probing questions like none other.

The bulk of his legal practice was as a corporate attorney for a cadre of government contract companies including– Burroughs, Control Data, Rockwell Collins, and Lincoln Labs. He carried leadership roles specializing in Contracts, Litigation, and Ethics and Compliance.  Before he began his corporate career, however, he started working as an attorney for a private practice, criminal defense firm headed by Robert Mozenter.  It was there that he learned the ins and outs of the court room, legal system, and the often-heart-breaking stories of the lives behind the crimes.  As one of Mark's long-time colleagues and friend recently remarked, "I guess what I truly admired about Mark was his concern for fairness for the underdog."

In the early 1980s he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota after accepting a position with Control Data.  It was during that time that he met his wife, Laurie Fiola, at the Loon Café.  He sent over a Miller Lite to Laurie and her friend and then commenced a long conversation centered around Catholic education, much to the boredom of her friend.  He asked for her phone number, and she gave him her business card.  He sent a dozen roses to her office the following Monday and that is when their romance began.

They moved to New York for his next corporate role and in 1990 welcomed their daughter, Jessica, into their home and hearts.  He was a passionate attorney, devoted father, and loving partner. His work eventually carried the family to other locations - Melbourne, Florida; Austin, Texas; and finally, Lexington, Massachusetts.

Shortly after moving to Lexington, Mark and Laurie developed a strong bond with their church, Sacred Heart Parish.  What attracted them to this small, vibrant, parish initially were the liturgies, music, and social conscience outreach, locally and internationally.  What kept them in the parish was the parishioners, a bright, giving, and resourceful congregation who are as committed to one another as they are to their faith.  They are family.  Mark played a pivotal role in saving the parish when they were in danger of closure as a result of the Archdiocese of Boston's financial constraints.  Again, his passion for the underdog and strong loyalty to his friends and family were driving factors in the work he did to keep the parish alive.

After Laurie retired in 2018, they frequently traveled abroad and nationally to explore new adventures and stay connected with family and dear friends.  It was the simple things that he loved most – a cup of coffee in the morning while reading the New York Times, emailing, or texting friends and family with historical trivia or political discussions, sharing a meal with a good glass of wine, and even, as he called it, "the hired man" role he played as Laurie planted every possible square inch of their postage stamp property.

On December 28, 2023, Mark passed away suddenly and unexpectedly of an aortic dissection. To his friends and family, the loss is unimaginable. He is survived by his wife, Laureen (Laurie) Fiola and daughter, Jessica G. Fiola (fiancé, Jacob Daughtry); Syrnick family members - uncle, Frank Syrnick, brothers, Joseph (Marybeth), Blaise (Susan), nieces, Genny (Brian Drake), Megan (Chris Clayton), Amy (Greg Sadowski), Jacqueline (Julien Delbasty), and nephew, Michael; Fiola family members– brothers-in-law, Doug (Janet), Jerry (Judy), sister-in-law, Kathy Sherwood, nephews, Kelly Sherwood (Courtenay), Kevin Sherwood, Jeff Sherwood (Ria), and niece, Christine (Michael Lopes).  He enjoyed following the sports, achievements, and milestones of several cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A wake will be held on January 6, 9:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish church, 16 Follen Road, Lexington, Massachusetts.  A memorial mass will follow in the church at 10:00 a.m.  Light refreshments will be served immediately following the mass in the Parish Center, directly across from the church.  In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Mark's favorite local charity, Haley House, a local soup kitchen in Boston's South End, which the family supports, along with other parishioners.  Memorial donations can be made directly at haleyhouse.org