Mark Joseph Costanza of Prince Frederick, Maryland, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2020, after 62 short, yet wonderful years on this earth.
Mark was a kind, hard-working and loving family man - a dear friend to many and a pillar of his community. He battled appendiceal cancer for over four years and with his characteristic positivity and determination, he fought the disease with everything he had.
Mark was born in Jersey City, N.J., on Feb. 27, 1958, to James and Mary Costanza.
The family resided in Weehawken until relocating to Newfoundland, N.J., when Mark was 12. There he spent his formative years with his parents and three siblings, and graduated West Milford High School with the class of 1976.
He spent his working years building a reputation as a well-respected and successful entrepreneur and local business owner, most notably, “The Market Place,” a deli, which he co-owned with his family. The Market Place grew to include three locations and became a cultural institution within the community, serving thousands of loyal customers for more than 20 years.
In 1994, Mark took on another 20-year business endeavor in opening “The Huntsman,” a local favorite and go-to dining establishment in West Milford.
After retiring in 2016, Mark and his wife, Karen, relocated to Prince Frederick, Maryland, to be closer to family.
For those whose lives he touched, Mark will be remembered as a reliable friend, a caring mentor and a dedicated family man, deeply devoted to his wife and children. He had an infectious laugh, a quirky sense of humor and took every opportunity to mug for the camera when posing for family photographs.
Under Mark’s stoic persona was a heart of gold. As a well-respected and highly visible member of the community, Mark was made an honorary member of both the New Jersey State PBA and the West Milford Police.
Though he worked freely and tirelessly, he occasionally took time to relax and enjoyed spending summers at the family camp in Lake Champlain. His passions were many and he loved the outdoors, antiquing and classic cars.
Mark leaves behind a large and loving family, including his wife and best friend of almost 19 years, the former Karen (Faulkner) Borie; his daughter Lisa and husband Donald Hahn, of Rockaway, N.J.; daughter Megan and husband Jonathan DiIorio of Prince Frederick, Md.; his mother Mary Rennell, husband Donald and Mark’s older brother, Douglas Costanza, all of St. Petersburg, Fla.; brother Philip Costanza, his wife Johnna; and sister Susan Costanza and husband Don Dickert, all of West Milford, N.J.; stepson Brian Borie and wife Nicole, of Queensbury, N.Y.; Christopher Borie and his fiancée, Mary Catherine Kluth,of Edwards, Co.; and his five grandchildren: Wesley, Hunter, Molly, Mia and James, who lovingly referred to him as “Grampy.”
Mark’s father, James Joseph Costanza, died in 1985.
A cremation was held privately and a family gathering to celebrate Mark’s life is being planned to take place in West Milford in the future.