Mark R. King
March 24, 1971 ~ December 24, 2022
Born in:
New Haven, CT
Resided in:
Hamden, CT
Mark R. King, 51, of Hamden, loving husband of Catherine Testa King, passed away on December 24, 2022, at Yale Smilow Cancer Center in New Haven. He was born in New Haven on March 24, 1971, the son of Richard and Jean Kalweit King. Besides his parents and wife, Catherine, Mark leaves his twin daughters, Kyla and Ava King, sister, Kristen Walsh, her husband Robert, his father and mother-in-law, Francis and Sandra Testa, and sister-in-law, Andrea Testa. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Felix and Elizabeth King, and Henry and Margaret Kalweit. Mark graduated from St. Joseph High School and St. Anselm’s College. He owned Fairfield Teachers’ Agency, and he and his staff helped thousands of educators secure employment. When Mark was not working, he spent most of his time with his family.
Above all else, Mark was a great husband and father. They enjoyed taking trips, staying at their cabin in New Hampshire, and skiing. His wife, Cathy, was his rock. They were the best of friends, and she was the love of his life. Her devotion to him during his year-long illness was remarkable. His daughters, Ava and Kyla, were the other two loves of his life. When they were young, Mark coached them in soccer through elementary school. Upon attending Sacred Heart Academy for high school, he became their cheerleader and videographer. Mark’s efforts played a major role in helping the girls receive soccer scholarships at Fordham and Stony Brook University. It was with great pride and satisfaction that he was able to watch them defend the soccer net and complete their first semester.
Mark had a keen sense of humor and no one enjoyed it more than his mother, his number one fan. Their daily talks were filled with laughter which made his 15-month illness more bearable for both of them.
Mark and his sister Kristen are only 16 months apart and had a special bond. They were the best of friends as children and this happy, loving relationship became even stronger in adulthood. Kristen and her husband, Rob, were dedicated to researching about Mark’s illness and exploring various treatment options.
Mark was also very close to his in-laws, Frank and Sandy. They were a constant presence in his life and the lives of his children. As art and music teachers, they spent countless hours teaching Kyla and Ava in their youth, and their passion for the arts remains today because of them.
Mark and his dad shared a mutual love of humor, sports, fishing, and nature. Their canoe fishing trips to ponds in New England and the Florida Everglades created everlasting memories, as did their many years working together at Fairfield Teachers’ Agency.
Mark had a lot of friends, many of them from his days at St. Joseph High School. They were very important to him, and he loved the competition and trash-talking in whatever sport or game they were playing. His friends were an incredible support and source of much needed laughter during this past year.
His friends and his family will remember Mark for his kindness, honesty, and unforgettable sense of humor.
In 51 short years, Mark lived an incredibly full life, filled with love, adventures, and numerous accomplishments. His family is grateful for every year they were able to be with him.
Finally, we cannot thank the dedicated staff at Smilow enough for their professional and compassionate care. They made a difficult year of treatment manageable. We are eternally grateful for their support throughout Mark’s journey.
Friends are invited to visit with Mark’s family on Monday, January 2nd from 4-7 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. MASKS REQUIRED. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul VI Parish/Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Interment will follow at the Mount Carmel Burying Ground in Hamden. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Smilow Cancer Center, by mailing funds to Yale-New Haven Hospital, Office of Development, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508, or by going to www.givetoynhh.org.
Services
Visitation: January 2, 2023 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
Mass of Christian Burial: January 3, 2023 11:00 am
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
2819 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-248-0141
For the memory of Mark Ronane King
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.
You two were a true love match. Am so very sorry
So many special memories I will have forever. You will always have a piece of my heart. Until I see you again.
Love,
Your Cuz Abe
You became my son’s big brother when I was in need of help. You were about 5. It must have been confusing to you when your parents told you you had to share your toys and your friends with your cousin. You made him feel welcome. You helped him feel loved at a time when his parents could not be with him. I never told you how grateful I was. I will never forget.
Mark will be remembered as kind, hospitable, silly and a true friend to our family, especially to Ariana. She loved him and looked up to him like a second dad and always made her feel warm and like a part of the King family. We are confident that he will be looking upon us all and giving the girls a guiding presence. He will be missed beyond words. We appreciate the time we knew you. Rest well.
I loved watching him cheer your girls on from the sidelines. He was such a supportive dad! I’m so incredibly sorry for him being taken from your family so quickly and so young! My heart goes out to all of you!
That smile, warmth, kindness, and sense of humor! Mark was a special person and amazing husband and Dad. Gone way too soon. I will miss you, my friend. Love to Cathy, Ava, Kyla and the King family.
So very sorry for your loss. (Andrea’s friend)
We will miss him immensely! Our prayers and love go Cathy, Ava, Kyla and all of your families!
We saddened and heartbroken for this great loss!
Mark was a great man and I wish I could have met him in person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.
My sincere condolences to Cathy and her family. I consider myself fortunate to have known Mark all the way back to the Fitness Edge days. I didn’t see him often, but whenever I saw him, I could count on two things : First , a discussion about his beloved family. Next, the laughs. Such a kind and funny man who will be missed by so many.
Dear Cathy, Ava, Kyla, Dick, and Jean. Please accept our deepest condolences. Your pond neighbours are thinking of you all and hope that you can find peace here at the place that Mark loved.
We are so fortunate to have met Mark and felt his hospitality.
Sending you all a lot of strength during these hard times.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Priscila
So very sorry to read of Mark’s passing. My heart goes out to you and the girls. I have fond memories of him interacting with our kindergarten class.
I had classes with Mark in St. Joes – he had a great sense of humor, always made everyone laugh.
Lisa Florentino
Kathy,
I am so deeply saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. As you progress through this unbelievably difficult time, I pray you are strengthened by the love and support of friends, family and coworkers. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your girls.
As an old teammate of Mak’s, I am very sorry to hear of his passing. He was funny, caring and just an all-around great person. I hadn’t spoken to Mark in forever but know he was beyond proud of his family. I was lucky to know him and know that his spirit and memories will live on.
Mrs. King, I just hear about Mr. King today. I am so sorry. You and the girls have my deepest sympathy. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Ava and Kyla. Please take care…
To Mark’s Family,
I was so saddened to recently hear of Mark’s passing. I met Mark, when I was planning the opening of my new charter school in Bridgeport, in the summer of 2005. As I hadn’t even secured a physical space for the school at that time, Mark opened the doors of his agency to serve as my unofficial office until I would have a my own space, and always welcomed me when I would arrive to interview candidates for positions on my staff, whether they were those he recommended or others he had not. As I best recall, at least two thirds of my new staff were people I hired through through Mark; had it not been for him, it is unlikely that Park City Prep could have opened its doors in the fall of 2006. I was always so grateful to Mark, not just for providing me with teachers, but also because he was so generous, gracious and simply pleasant to know.
I continued to work closely with Mark right up until the time COVID struck, but lost touch with him during that difficult period of time. When I later sought his help again in recruiting some teachers, I then learned that he was ill but didn’t realize that things were quite as serious as they were. When another school director recently told me that he had passed away, I was shaken by the news.
I will always remember Mark as not only a real professional, but also as such a kind, considerate and generous person and a real friend. Mark will surely be missed by all who ever knew him!