It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mark Stephen Wilczek announces his passing on February 7, 2025 at the age of 58 due to complications from myotonic dystrophy. Born in Rochester, NY on May 21, 1966, Mark was a lifelong resident of the greater Rochester area, and he never dreamed of living anywhere else.
Mark is survived by his father, Stephen Wilczek of Victor, NY, his brother, Gregory (Silvana) Wilczek, and his nieces, Sofia Wilczek and Clara Wilczek, all of Fairfield, CT. He is also survived by numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends including his uncles Robert (Gina) Mathews of Northville, MI; Brian (Kathy) Mathews of Whitesboro, NY; Kevin Mathews of Whitesboro, NY; and Frank Wilczek of Palmyra, VA. He was predeceased by his mother, Colleen (Mathews) Wilczek, of Victor, NY, and his grandparents Frank and Mary (Potaczala) Wilczek of Utica, NY, and Robert and Lucille (Sweeney) Mathews of New Hartford, NY.
Mark attended Fairport schools including Jefferson Avenue Elementary School, Martha Brown Junior High, and Fairport High School (class of 1984). He was a contractor in the greater Rochester area for many years, operating his business, First Class Carpentry, by word of mouth. Any project Mark worked on had to be well-planned and perfectly executed. If his name went on it, it was going to be of the finest quality.
Mark had an unending thirst for knowledge, and he always sought to understand “how things worked” from mechanics and engineering to home construction. He enjoyed working on cars and motorcycles as a teen and young adult, and in his adult years his passion pivoted to home construction. He especially thrived with custom carpentry and kitchen renovations. Perhaps his largest undertaking was acting as general contractor and jack of all trades for the construction of his parents’ house in Victor in 2006. Mark built most of the house by hand, only using contractors where absolutely necessary and under his exacting specifications.
Mark also loved sailing on Canandaigua Lake and Lake Ontario, especially in races and regattas. He was active in the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Rush, NY, volunteering to help with operations, planning, repairs, maintenance, and driving vintage trains during tours.
Mark was a very thoughtful person in unexpected ways with the occasional card, text, or email, and he was often nostalgic about his childhood and teen years growing up in Fairport.
Mark was loved by his family and friends and will be deeply missed. His encyclopedic knowledge will continue to inspire all of us. Calling Hours Friday February 14, 2025 6:30-8:30 PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt Location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd, Fairport, NY 14450. Funeral Mass Saturday, February 15th, 11:00 AM at St. John of Rochester, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY 14450 followed by a celebration of life reception at a restaurant to be announced during the service.
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