Mark A. Gracin

Mark Andrew Gracin, 75, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at the UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, NY, surrounded by love.

He was born on February 8, 1948 at the Binghamton City Hospital to parents, Rena (Aldrich) and Andrew Gracin. Soon after, the Gracin family settled in Norwich, where Mark remained a lifelong resident.

Mark had an action-packed childhood with his three younger siblings and his neighborhood friends. He quickly developed a gift for sports; soon being a proud no hitter pitcher in Little League baseball. He continued to excel in sports and was well known at NHS as a star JV/Varsity basketball player. He graduated from Norwich High School in 1966 and was educated one year at Syracuse University.

Mark started working at Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals before he enlisted in the United States Army. After serving his country in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1971, spending 1½ years in Okinawa, he received an honorable discharge. He resumed employment at Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals and while working full time, he earned an Associates in Applied Science degree in Business Administration through SUNY Morrisville in 1978. After a 37-year long career, with the majority in the Quality Assurance Department (QA), he retired in 2009.

Throughout his adulthood, Mark continued with his passion of sports. He played on the company basketball league for 10 years, and was an avid golfer for even longer. As a member of the Canasawacta Country Club, Mark appeared in the newspaper multiple times for placing in both league and member-guest tournaments. Later in retirement, Mark joined the Seven Oaks Country Club at Colgate University.

Mark’s daughters, Rachel and Natalie, were born in November 1982. In 1989, he met Deborah Coleman as she also worked at Norwich Eaton/Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals in Quality Assurance. Mark and Deborah spent over 33 years together and bonded in holy matrimony this year on June 8th to honor their long-time love and commitment to each other, witnessed by his daughters.

Mark enjoyed spending time with his family and his special grandchild, Beatrice. He loved to watch the NY Yankees and professional golf. He also enjoyed cars, collecting, fitness, reading and watching movies. He always had the skill for problem solving, which he used to help others. Mark and Debbie enjoyed going on many vacations to the New England states as they both enjoyed the early American founding history, while walking to explore and meet new people along the way.

Mark was predeceased by his father and mother, Andrew and Rena Gracin. Mark is survived by his wife, Deborah; two daughters, Rachel Gracin Hall (Brandon) of Camillus and Natalie Gracin of Norwich; siblings, Tony Gracin (Judy) of McDonough, Lynda Gracin Haley (Steve) of Cape May, NJ, and Laurie Gracin of Norwich; granddaughter, Beatrice Hall; aunts, Eleanor (Al) Mirabito and Adelaide Aldrich; many cousins, nieces, nephews; Susan Johnson Gracin; and brother-in-law, Jerry Coleman (Danielle Shaw).

The family would like to thank Wilson Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care of Mark.

Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, in Norwich, on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. with a funeral service to immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UHS Wilson Project, 10-42 Mitchell Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13903.