OBITUARY
Mark Allan Pilarski
August 1, 1964 – February 13, 2021
Mark Allan Pilarski of Rochester Hills Michigan passed away Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the age of 56.
Mark was born at Holy Cross Hospital in Detroit Michigan on August 1st, 1964. He graduated from Avondale High School and attended Oakland Community College.
He was a dedicated and valued 20 year employee at Becton, Dickinson and Company as an IT Project Manager installing medical equipment in hospitals throughout the State of Michigan.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Joan (LaRose) Pilarski and two beautiful daughters, Samantha and Sarah. Mark was a beacon of light to his daughters. He was the true definition of a proud Dad. He was always involved in their lives from day one and would tell any audience just how proud he was of both girls.
He is also survived by his Mother, Carole Payne, siblings Brian (Lynn) Pilarski, Brandie (Mark) Whelan, Allen (Laurie) Payne, Paul Payne and nieces and nephews Jack Whelan, Elliott Payne, Emma & Kristina Pilarski, Mackenzie, Hunter and Delaney Payne.
Mark was an adoring family man first and foremost. He was an avid golfer and active in sports his whole life including football, softball, basketball and fishing. The “Polish Rifle” will be greatly missed by his extended family, many long-time friends, and colleagues.
Everyone who was lucky enough to have met him or called him a friend will miss him dearly. He brought immeasurable joy, love and passion to everyone he touched.
Flowers are welcomed, if donation is preferred; please donate to Boys & Girls Club of Auburn Hills.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 18th 2:00-7:00pm at Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 4832. Mass will be on Friday, February 19th, at 9:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 3400 S Adams Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.
We encourage you to please share fond memories, funny stories, or pictures at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/auburn-hills-mi/mark-pilarski-10056246/add-memory
Services
-
Visitation
Thursday, February 18, 2021
-
Funeral Service
Friday, February 19, 2021
Memories
Mark Allan Pilarski
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYJeffrey Dymm
February 18, 2021
My beautiful friend, I will miss you forever. A man who was so proud of his family, calling Joan the kindest person that he had ever met. Offering a continual outpouring of love and admiration for his daughters. A man who didn't buy you just a beer, but somebody who remembered your favorite drink and went out of his way to get it for you. A soul who looked upon his past and found the good, who looked to the future and found hope and sunshine.
The world lost a great one today and Heaven has vastly improved. Mark's spirit will be around us, to remind us to focus on the good and to ignore the bad, so smile when you feel his presence. The world could use so many more Mark Pilarski's. If you knew him, be grateful that you got to spend time with such a beautiful human being.
I'll love you always, brother.
Matthew Coady
February 18, 2021
In 1999 I met Mark for the first time as a customer at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo and soon after became part of the Michigan Team working with Pyxis. I had no idea how close all of us would become over time. First as coworkers, then friends and then the feeling of family. Over the years we have shared so many memories together. We often talked about family at work and after work. He was so incredibly proud of his family and always lit up while talking about you with a smile. Mark smiled a lot and had a great sense of humor. We often ribbed each other while working together. I loved it when he’d say some sort of wise crack while laughing at his own joke and then punctuate it with a snort at the end when he’s catching his breath. I wish I could tell him I did the same thing looking at that 80’s mustache photo of his! Love ya buddy.
Joan, Sarah and Samantha I am truly heartbroken for you and the rest of the family. Please know that we are all thinking about him and hold you in our hearts.
Mark West
February 18, 2021
Mark was a loving husband and father. He always took the opportunity to tell all of his friends how proud he was of Joan, Samantha and Sarah! Mark loved life and was a terrific friend. He was always the first to ask if you needed some help, wanted to join in a game of golf or just share a drink and a stogy at the local pub! One of my best memories of Mark is how he loved parties at my house and in particular the drinks and stogies in the heated garage during the winter. I think it is Mark who coined the term “what happens in the garage, stays in the garage”. He will be missed by many and especially me. RIP
Lois Calverley
February 18, 2021
I worked with Mark at Beaumont in the “narc vault” along with Kevin Pisarski (who we also lost and I miss every day still) and Myra Hesson. Mark and Kevin would call Myra and myself the narc chicks lol.. he was always joking around and making work a pleasure! What a great since of humor he had and spoke often of his family.. I’m sure he will be missed by everyone that knew him.. my prayers to the family ❤️
Beverly Smith
February 18, 2021
He was always smiling!
Kevin Patch
February 18, 2021
Maria and I really got to know Mark and Joan about 7 years ago. Our girls were both on the cheer team at Avondale and we would see them at football games, basketball games and those all day cheer competitions. After a year of seeing one another at the games, I believe it was Mark that suggested that we meet before a game at Muldoon's for a few drinks and a bite to eat. This quickly became a tradition and something we always looked forward to. Mark, of course would always reserve the table and was the first one there. We enjoyed these times so much that we often found ourselves sneaking into the games well into the 1st or 2nd quarter. Our girls have since moved on to college but I am thankful to say that we remained close and continued to share many more laughs and good times.
The Patch family will certainly miss Mark a great deal, but are so grateful for the times we enjoyed together and the memories we have to hold onto.
Kendall McCarthy
February 18, 2021
Mr. P,
Knowing him for most of my life was such an honor. He was always the light in any room, loving his life in the present, and cherishing every moment with those he came in contact with. There are too many memories to pick on favorite, but the most memorable times are every family event hearing his laugh and amazing stories, the time he always took to ask what was going on in my life and was encouraging for whatever my path was. I will miss him and the light her brought to any space he entered dearly🤍
- this photo was from my 21st birthday, one of my favorite memories that portrays the amazing chosen family i was so blessed to be apart of
David Smith
February 17, 2021
I worked with Mark at Pyxis for the last 16 years. We were partners on countless projects...big and small. Over these years, I'm sure we saw each other more than our own wife and children. I must of sat with Mark and ate lunch with him over a 1000 times. That man would eat his daily apple like he hadn't had food in a week!
We over came hundreds challenges together. Mark would always celebrate a problem solved with a mighty fist pump like he just won the lottery! I will miss that most of all. At the end of the day we would simply say "see ya tomorrow". It is inconceivable to me that there will be no more tomorrows.
Today I walked into the Pyxis Staging area at the Hospital Mark last worked at and there was his tool bag and countless pads of paper with Mark's scribbles all over them....some were almost legible...(he was the only man I knew with worse handwriting then me). Seeing all of his stuff made it seem that he was going to walk back into that room any moment. I was there all day...he never arrived.
Mark would beat me to work almost every morning. It didn't matter if we started at 10am or 5am...he was always be there before me. We would usually fight about the music, talk sports, discuss our families and talk about customers behind there backs. We did occasionally argue over small stuff , but we always respected each other and had each others back when things went haywire...and they did often...by no fault of our own 😁.
Mark and I did occasionally spent time together away from work...but not enough time. We played Golf together many times and had some great times at many company meetings and conventions.
Someday I may get used to not working with Mark on a project, but I will probably be close to retirement by then.
Joan, Sarah and Samantha...I am so sorry for your loss, but thank you for letting Mark be a big part of my life for the past 16 years.
Rest in Peace Mark!
Keith Lanctot
February 17, 2021
23 years ago I had the privilege of meeting Mark for the first time when he was working at Beaumont Hospital. Little did I know that Mark and I would become not only co-workers, but become dear friends. This friendship led to us sharing our love for golf and many golfing adventures. Mark was a very loving person who cared deeply not only for his family but his friends as well. One of the things I will miss most about him is not being able to call and talk to him about life, life’s happy moments as well as the difficult ones, he was always there. This was one of his greatest qualities as a friend. This is where I will feel the greatest loss. A friend like this comes once in a life time and I will be forever grateful we were placed in each other fairways. He will be greatly missed not only by me but all those who’s lives he touched.
GEORGE Navarro
February 17, 2021
I am a former co-worker at Becton-Dickinson and worked with Mark since his first day on the job until I left last year. Almost 20 years! The first thing I noticed was his height and his powerful voice and that smile. He had a great sense of humor. If our work-talk ever drifted to our families, he would always talk about his girls. I never had the chance to meet his family, but I knew they were in good hands with him as a husband and father. I am still in shock of hearing this news. My deep condolences to his wife and daughters. Sorry for your loss.
Tony Wojcik
February 17, 2021
My sincere condolences to Joan, Samantha, Sarah, Carol, Brian, and the entire Pilarski/Payne Family. His mother and mine were best friends. I remember playing at each other’s houses as children. As frequently happens in life, I would only occasionally see Mark. However, when we did meet it was as if no time had passed. His kind friendly smile and handshake were always there to greet. I cannot recall a time without seeing his warm smile and good humor. My wife Shari told me she had a crush on Mark in the second grade at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. Luckily for Joan and me he moved away😊 Although my heart is saddened, I take joy in imagining the huge bear hug and reception he received from The Blessed Trinity. He and all the family are in my and Shari’s thoughts and prayers.
The Picture is from the Our Lady Queen of Heaven Good Times Festival June 2019
Brian Borski
February 17, 2021
I had the pleasure of being Mark's good friend for the past 23 years. Oh my gosh the memories he and I piled up throughout those years. This is a picture of one of the last Spartan Football games we attended together before Covid hit. We had a blast as usual! First stop was to see his daughter Sarah and her friends. Then off to Dave Yarema's tailgate. After the game we always stopped for a bite to eat in down town East Lansing. The ride home was classic Mark in the passenger seat with a Dip in, 80's music blaring, and a smile from ear to ear all of the way home! What a great friend, awesome father to his 2 wonderful daughters, and a loving husband to his best friend Joan! These outings will never be the same... Love ya buddy. RIP
Kim (Jones) Kuchta
February 17, 2021
I met Mark in 6 th grade at Avondale Middle School. We shared a couple classes together , our group of friends ,and our love of sports. He was such a good guy with an incredible smile. He was always so nice and so kind to everyone. I moved away , but returned to Michigan a few years later , and our paths would cross every so often with that group of friends at a party or reunion. We enjoyed catching up and even saw each other up north once when our daughters were in the same softball tournament, and at a concert at Comerica a few summers ago. It was always great to reminisce about “ the old days” and smile as if time had never passed. I will remember him always and pray for comfort and strength for his family and friends. Rest easy Mark, you made an impact on everyone who knew you, and will be missed by us all. God Bless
Janice Terokowskie
February 17, 2021
First of all my condolences to the Pilarski family.
Mark was one of the most friendliest people you were honored to know.
Whenever he stopped in at Beaumont hospital RO.
He always stopped in to say hi to the Billing girls, me, Mary and Joann.
He always made time to say hi and talk about his beautiful family.
Then made time to see how all of us were doing.
We all first knew Mark when he worked with Kevin Pisarski in the Narcotic vault, when we were Pharmacy Techs.
He will be truly missed and will always be in our prayers, as well as his beautiful family.
All our love and condolences,
Janice Terokowskie
Mary Keith
Joann Santoni
Sarah Pofahl
February 17, 2021
I was lucky enough to work with Mark at BD a few times, he was an absolute delight to be around! I am so sorry for your loss. Sending so much love to your family and friends, and strength to get through this unimaginably difficult time.
John Boyer
February 17, 2021
I met Mark 19 years ago when I started at Cardinal Health and was fortunate enough to work with Mark on several projects over the years and routinely consulted him for his expertise In our field.
I always found Mark to be a professional and friendly person.
The local team and customers have a lot of memories and he will
be greatly missed.
Karla and Marc Woita
February 17, 2021
It is always a pleasure hanging out with Mark and Joan. We enjoyed his stories and poking fun! When invited to gatherings we would chant...”the Pilarski’s are coming, the Pilarski’s are coming!”
A family man who loved to share updates on how his family was doing. And would always genuinely ask how the rest of our family was doing!
After joining us on our Thursday evening golf league some years ago, it quickly became a Thursday afternoon start. Mark’s calls on Thursday’s at 3:00 asking me to meet early for a drink will be sorely missed!
You will forever be missed Mark, but certainly won’t be forgotten! You have touched our lives!
Todd Hitchcock
February 17, 2021
I've know Mark for years and always looked forward to him coming to the hospital for an install. We'd always talk some fatherhood and family before getting to work. Mark did exceptional work for us and it was a blessing to have known him! May God bless your family.
Friends at CARS
February 17, 2021
From all of your friends at CARS - Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Regina Calabrese Boguski
February 17, 2021
I went to junior high and high school with Mark and we were Confirmed in the same year at Sacred Heart Church. I haven’t seen Mark in over 30 years but I still remember what a nice young man he was. May he Rest In Peace and we will pray for his wife, daughters and family. So sorry to hear about this huge loss.
Rebecca Chmielewski
February 16, 2021
I'm grateful that I was able to get to know Mr. Pilarski and the whole Pilarski family. Every time I saw him, Mr. Pilarski always had a smile on his face. He will be remembered and cherished forever.
Mary Muma
February 16, 2021
Mark always knew how to have a good time..
When the girls were younger Jasmine would often come home and tell me a story of how he busted her chops and just poked some fun with her.. That meant a lot to both of us as she really looked up to him. We feel both lucky and blessed to have had him be a part of our lives for the last 15 1/2 years...
Mark was a devoted and loving husband to Joan and an amazing father to Sarah and Samantha... He was never shy about showing his love to his family.
His beautiful girls will carry his legacy for many years to come. You are a shining star that will brighten the sky every night forever. We will miss you dearly.
Condolences to the Pilarski Family.
We love you all, Bruce, Mary and Jazzy
Chip Bleitz
February 16, 2021
I was lucky to know Mark for most of my life. As a younger kid at the Boys Club and then as adults, playing golf, basketball, and softball together for 15 years. Mark and I often finished a late softball game at Liberty park and went in for a beer. Often, it was just us and I really got to know Mark well. Mark has a big heart and we had a lot of laughs. It still amazes me how our friendship evolved. In the beginning Mark was older and often picked on me (I probably had it coming) . Then as we got older, I became Mark' friend independent, yet complementary of my friendship with Brian.
Great Dad, friend, short stop, and if we could have just got you to play under the basket instead of launching all those 3 pointers...great basketball player.
Miss you Mark....
Rachelle Faulkner
February 16, 2021
Will always remember you Mark, sending warm Love, prayer’s and comfort...from my family to your’s. ❤️
Samantha Pilarski
February 16, 2021
My Dad was my hero. He taught me countless life lessons. One being that family isn’t always blood. As he coached me when I played basketball and softball, he always taught me when you get knocked down, you always get back up.
One of my favorite stories is the day my sister was born. My Dad and I went to see the Grinch together. While my Mom went out to lunch. Looking back this memory, I will cherish it forever.
I’m incredibly grateful for all the years I spent with you. I love you always.