Mark David Rabin

Mark David Rabin of Melville, New York passed away March 3, 2024. Mark spent his early childhood in Brooklyn, and later Freeport and Baldwin. Mark began his college education at Lowell Technological Institute and completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Adelphi University. Mark began teaching science in 1966 and throughout his career was innovative in his teaching methods and always incorporated his love of nature and the importance of environmental stewardship. He continually found new ways to connect his science lessons to the practical world.

Mark was a devoted husband to his wife Jane and loving father to his son Kyle and daughter Kimberly. His passions were parenting, traveling, biking and photography and most summers were spent with his family traveling by van through the United States and Canada, hiking, biking, and photographing. Mark enjoyed joking and word play. When he was younger, he used humor to label photos of his family and pets, including his beloved Great Dane, with humorous captions.

He was engaged with national and global politics and events and supported many charities. When he retired from teaching public school, he taught part time in a private school and donated all his earnings to charity. He would always lend a hand to neighbors in Freeport, Massapequa and Melville. Toward the end of his life in his various hospital and rehab stays, he continued being a good neighbor, looking out for his various roommates.

Mark loved being a “handyman”. He could repair almost anything. His favorite tee shirt, a gift from his grandsons, reads, “If PopPops can’t fix it, no one can.” Mark customized a 1970s Dodge van for the family’s summer travels.

Mark also shared loyalty, kindness and laughter with many lifetime friends. He is survived by his wife Jane, his son Kyle and daughter in-law Amy, daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Jordan, grandchildren Bella, Maya, Landon, J.R. and Sawyer, and nephews Adam and Kevin. Predeceased by beloved siblings Jeff and Nancy.

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Memorial contributions can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/tribute) and The Nature Conservancy (https://www.nature.org/en-us/).