Mark Edward Powers

Powers, Mark Edwards, 87, of South Deerfield, Mass., on December 16, 2012. Arrangements are in the care of the Czelusniak Funeral Home, Northhampton.

    SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. — Mark Edward Powers, 87, of 31 South Main Street, South Deerfield passed away at Baystate Medical Center following a short illness on Sunday, December 16, 2012. He was born in Sunderland on November 21, 1925, the son of the late James F. Powers and Gertrude Slattery. He enlisted in the US Army during World War II following his brother, James and served with the 142nd Heavy Ordinance Division. He was involved with the 7th Army Saar Valley Offensive and the crossing of the Rhine River Offensive in Germany. He received various commendations, including the Army of Occupation Medal of Germany, the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon, the Victory Medal and the Meritorious Service Citation for the European Theater of Operations, 15th Army. Mark began a career as a carpenter and went on to build a successful contracting business, Powers Construction, working as a general contractor doing residential and commercial projects throughout New England. As the business grew and his sons joined him, PowCo Construction Inc. was formed. Mark was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and skiing. He taught his children how to ski on an old rope tow at Boron’s Hill in South Deerfield. He also spent many years hunting in Parkman, Maine at “Camp”. He enjoyed the times spent with his good friends there, the summer projects to work on the camp with Thumper, Stempel, his sons and many others, laughing at the camp table with Paul, Aus, Edgar, Maynard, Mel, Thurston “Father Time” and the Gang and Thanksgiving dinners at Paul’s. His family is eternally grateful for the time Mark had there and the lifelong friends that he made, he’ll see you all again on the other side.
    Mark leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Jean Powers; nine children, Mark A. and Milda Powers, Matthew and Jean Powers, Kathleen, John, Terence, Sheila Powers, Mary, Christopher and Thomas Powers; grandchildren, Ryan, Elise, Patrick, Jamie, Meghan, James, Rory, Paul, Siobhan, Eamonn, Kavan, Liza, Thomas C., Lilli and his great-grandson, Locke; sisters, Helen Jenkins and Mary Gilmore; sister-in-law, Rose Powers and her children, Joan, Sheila, and Barbara of Hawaii. Mark was predeceased by his devoted brothers, James “Flap” and Charles.
    Funeral services were held at the Wrisley Funeral Home, South Deerfield, Mass. on Friday (12-21-12) with Fr. Michael Twohig, Celebrant. Burial with military honors was held in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton where Mark was laid to rest with his parents, James & Gertrude and his brother, Charles. In lieu of flowers donations in Mark’s memory can be made to the South Deerfield Rescue Vehicle Fund, Greenfield Rd., South Deerfield, MA O1373. The Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton, has been entrusted with arrangements.