The SUNY Cobleskill family mourns the loss of Mark Finney '84. A recipient of SUNY
Cobleskill's Outstanding Student Award his senior year and Outstanding Alumnus in
2018, Mark taught school in Delhi, New York, and then in Little River, South Carolina. Upon his retirement from teaching, he returned to his hometown of Cortland, New York in 2008 and quickly reconnected with his alma mater.
Stopping by the College's booth at the New York State Fair set Mark on a 15-year journey
as a member of the Cobleskill Campus Child Care Center Board of Directors and the
Alumni Association Board, to which he served in various capacities, including president
and secretary.
In recent years, Mark had become synonymous with the College's presence at the State and County Fairs, giving freely of his time to support recruitment efforts. He recruited innumerable students while coordinating fair efforts during the summers of 2014 to 2017.
Over those years, Mark estimated that he volunteered more than 1,200 hours representing the
College at these fairs, and many more hours planning, as he truly understood the importance
of making the College shine, not only in this community but for New York State and
beyond. Mark's always-positive attitude was contagious, as he ensured all the other
volunteers felt their shared time was valued and appreciated.
His constant presence is how he became known as "Coby's Best Friend," a nickname affectionately coined by President Marion Terenzio.
"Mark was our best friend and the strongest advocate for our shared mission, vision,
and values, taking it upon himself, as a volunteer, to show the world what Coby meant
to him and what we stand for as a College," said Dr. Terenzio. "As all friends should
be, he was there every time we called on him to run an event or just to be there to
help us tell the story of Coby. We called him our greatest cheerleader, but he was
just the greatest person and one that we will miss greatly and remember with the widest
of smiles."
In acknowledgment of how his representation of SUNY Cobleskill contributes to the
greater good, in 2016, Mark was personally recognized by then NYS Fair Agriculture
Manager Mary Ellen Chesbro. She said, "We had representation from the Apple Industry,
Maple Syrup, Honey, Distilleries and Wineries, Farm Bureau, Taste of NY, and even
the NYS Nut Producers. But there was one exhibit that shone above them all, and that
was the attractive and inviting SUNY Cobleskill exhibit headed by Mark Finney. Mark
was a constant presence that welcomed fairgoers not only to his exhibit but the entire
market."
Melissa Struckle ’07 met Mark at the State Fair. They quickly connected over their shared love of ice cream, Syracuse basketball, and being alumni of SUNY Cobleskill.
"Mark was a dear friend to all, someone that radiated positivity and bled Cobleskill
orange," said Struckle. "He dedicated countless hours to promoting the College to
prospective students and to reminiscing about college memories at alumni gatherings.
Mark put his heart into every event he was involved in and every interaction he had,
both personally and as a representative of the College he loved so much."
Emiley Purvis '03 met Mark through their service together on the Alumni Association
Board. "I was always in awe of his love and dedication to Cobleskill, but also for
his years of service to the Special Education community. As an educator, supporter,
advocate, friend, and so many more roles, Mark was the type of person we should all
strive to be," said Purvis.
"Mark had a personality and an energy about him that just drew you in," said Vice
President for Development John J. Zacharek. "Everyone wanted to be around him, and
he knew just about everyone on campus and, it seemed, the Town of Cobleskill. His
passion for seeing his alma mater do well was unmatched, and the immense efforts he
took on showed so many the value of joining the Coby family. He will always be a part
of us."
Family and friends can visit Mark's family on Friday, May 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wright Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Avenue, Cortland, NY. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 48 N Main Street, Cortland, NY. Donations can be made in Mark’s name to Make-A-Wish.
In Memory of Mark F. Finney (1964-2023)
- May 5, 2023
Mark was honored at Homecoming in 2018 as our Outstanding Alumnus. When he was unable to attend the recognition ceremony, staff recorded these messages of congratulations.
Guestbook
Click here to submit a guestbook entry
| Jill Ladd | My heart aches to hear of Mark's passing. I am an alumni from the Class of 1975 and volunteered with Mark at the NYS Fair a couple of years and visited him for a few years after that at the Fair. He was a wonderful man and had such a love for everything Cobleskill. I will miss our chats. My prayers go out to his family and friends. And as Mark used to say at the end of our conversations.... PEACE OUT. |
| Kate Weaver |
It is an honor to call Mark my friend. It’s difficult to even recall that brief window of time between first meeting Mark at a Homecoming Weekend and him becoming my right hand. When it was event time, Mark would roll into town. Bright and early in the morning, we would pick up our McDonald’s iced teas. At the end of the day, we would walk out the office door together. He would say, “You’’ll be alright.” Mark had a way of making things happen. He worked independently but knew who, and when, to call for assistance. He made things happen. That’s because it was easy to help Mark. You wanted to. Leading by example, never succumbing to challenges, he inspired others to give their time and commit themselves. Watching Mark “in action” conversing with alumni, prospective students, and people in general, Mark made everyone feel special. The next time he saw someone, he remembered them – their name, or their hometown, or a mutual acquaintance. He cared. Mark, you will be missed more than you could have ever known. “Peace.” |
| Bonnie Martin |
I was a relatively new member of the Cobleskill campus community when I first met Mark. He was incredibly warm, positive, and supportive. His encouragement meant a great deal to me. Mark's smile and unfailing optimism made my day each and every time I saw him. Although I didn't know Mark well, he touched my heart, and I will always remember him fondly. |
| Brett Luce |
Where do I begin? Mark, you were an amazing friend, mentor and confidant. We had some great times together working the different fairs for SUNY Cobleskill. You inroduced me to the SUNY Cobleskill Alumni Board and we were unstoppable from there on. We had an amazing road trip down south together and we didn't get arrested! You are one of a kind Mark Finney! It was a true honor for Andrea and I to call you our friend and brother. I hope you know how much we loved you! We will miss our times together, our phone calls and most of all our birthday hang up phone calls!! We miss you Mark, and I will close like we did on every phone call......I love you brother, Peace! |