Two years ago today, we unexpectedly lost a most precious friend and neighbor, and yet - your beautiful spirit, depth of heart and soul and otherworldly music are well and alive.  We see you still, taking your "daily constitutional". Colorfully attired. Regal and cool. Always happy to stop and let visitors from afar or fascinated locals take your picture and talk for awhile, so pleased to make the acquaintance of such a  fine and kind gentleman who is unlike anyone else they've ever met.   We remember our evenings singing favorite songs, talking music and sharing our life stories. Such a beautiful bond. Such a gift to know you as only close friends do.  G-d bless you, Mark. We look forward to seeing you again someday and we hope your heavenly home is once again right up the hall from ours.

One year today a bright light in our lives was dimmed.  But that light will never be extinguished, for as long as we have so many beautiful memories of you, Mark, your light is bright, well and alive.  May your soul be at peace and in harmony with the heavens above, and may G-d allow you to hear the many loving prayers for you - from here on earth, to the heavens on high.  

We love and miss you. 
Dana & Gary

Thinking of you on what is the day you came into this world, and graced it with your magnificent array of gifts, and solid gold heart. To say we miss you dear Mark, is an understatement, but we are grateful to G-d above for the 23 years you were our neighbor, and part of our extended family.  You live on in our hearts like a brilliant shining star soaring across the universe, in all your glory of otherworldly glitter and starlight, bringing beauty to every life you touched, every piano you ever played and every song your soul ever sang.  We are richer for having loved you and been loved by you, and we will keep you close to us for all of our days on earth, until the day arrives when we meet once again.  

with everlasting love,
Dana and Gary

Will miss those days in which we listen to Scriabin. Will never forget Temple of the Evening Star ! Would love to hear it again , beauty work.

RIP Mark

I only came across this obituary yesterday.  Although Doc Birnbaum was my teacher, mentor, and good friend, we had not spoken in many years.  I regret that I did not get to see him again.

This playlist compiles some music I made with him or under his influence.  "Maple Leaf Rag" and "Solace" were his favourite Joplin compositions.  The video for "Solace" is a slideshow of some of my time with Doc.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoL19xagFD2e7K4eeucrJmMBXv_AEyWlY

Mark was my Jazz-Teacher for quite a few years, and he was so much more than just that. Mark was a true New Yorker.  Smart, different and willing to swim against the current. A kind soul, whom I will never forget. Thank you, Mark and bon voyage. When playing the piano, you will always be with me. 

Si sorry for your loss🙏🏻
Mark is gone …He  is going to meet his friend Jimmy Web up there.
Mark will stay forever! I am glad to be at the initiative of one of his dream !
To go back to Paris 40 years after his first venue en n the city of lights.

In memory of all the crazy time we spent together, here what We did :

https://m.imdb.com/video/vi337227289

From France, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of Mark and especially to his sister Pam 
🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻

Cedric BRELET VON SYDOW 

Mark brought an avalanche of love, joy and friendship into my life. He was a rare and beautiful man, and the sorrow I feel in his passing is too great for words.  Thank you, Mark, for sharing your heart in so many ways with me, Gary and our family over these many years.  You touched everyone's heart with your goodness, your sincerity, your beautiful music and your living life authentically.  There will never be another like you. Although your absence will be felt for many years to come, it is your undying spirit which will remain a part of us, for always.  ~ I wish your sisters, friends and students comfort in their grief and look forward to seeing you again dear friend when next we meet for a night of karaoke.  

My wife Dana and I had the honor of being Mark's trusted pals and neighbors on the 20th floor for over two decades. Nobody stayed
consistently truer to being the uniquely deep, caring, colorful, insightful, creative and uber-talented human that God clearly designed for him to be in life. Mark was the subject of both a documentary and a "Humans Of New York" profile due to his outrageously eye-popping fashion sense and his immense popularity with tourists in the city.

But Mark Birnbaum's greatest gift was his music. He was a world-class ragtime piano player who, in recent years, expanded his range into almost every musical genre imaginable. And what made that transition so impressive to me was that it all sounded GREAT. I can honestly say that, in the weeks before he passed, Mark was better at his craft in his 70s than he was during his time as musical director on the old Joe Franklin Show variety series back in the day.

With all that being said, Mark, you were a trusted, appreciative, and always caring friend, and it is THAT aspect of you that we will miss most. And one thing I know..the quality of Heaven's music just went up a notch by virtue of you moving there! RIP, my friend.

I will never forget a memorable Thanksgiving I had with Mark many years ago in the building we lived in.  It was a dinner for all those people who wanted to spend the holiday with others, who just enjoyed each other’s company and appreciated diverse backgrounds.  We had a great time sharing stories and thoughts.  

Mark was unique and made a big impression on me and on everyone he came in contact with.  We lived in the same building for many, many years, and he was always so kind.  I was very sad to hear of his passing, but grateful to have met such an incredible person.  

May he rest in peace.  

OBITUARY

Mark Birnbaum

11 February, 1952 – 14 June, 2023

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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