Marc Andrew Pechera

Marc Pechera, beloved husband, father, son, and brother, passed away on June 4, 2026, at the age of 48. Born on Long Island, NY, Marc grew up in East Setauket, lived in Manhattan, and then moved to Brooklyn, where he finally felt “at home.” Marc graduated from Ward Melville High School. He studied at Fairfield University in Connecticut, earned a BA in Sociology Magna Cum Laude at State University of New York in Stony Brook, and received a BS in Nursing from Pace University in New York City.

When Marc was 12 years old, his big brother Rex passed away at the age of 16 after a long battle with cancer. This unimaginable loss broke Marc’s heart, and shaped the rest of his life. Inspired by the nurses who surrounded his brother and family with love and care, Marc decided to give back in that same way and become a nurse himself. Marc excelled at the accelerated nursing program at Pace University in NYC, and was invited to be the speaker at the graduation. He quickly became recognized as one of the most dedicated nurses at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan and was chosen to work with their most esteemed patients.

In 2008, Marc met his wife, Suzanna (Zanna). They moved across the country to Tacoma, Washington, finally settling in Seattle, specifically West Seattle, where Marc found his “west coast” Brooklyn.

Inspired by the courage shown by his brother Rex, and later by his sister Christine, who survived a devastating cancer diagnosis herself, Marc decided to become an oncology nurse, one of medicine's most demanding and sacred roles, to help others fight cancer. Marc showed up every shift for patients facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. He had a rare gift for meeting people exactly where they were. Colleagues knew him as someone who could reach the most difficult patients, patients who would ultimately request him by name, because he had earned their trust. During the Covid-19 pandemic, while the rest of the world isolated themselves from the virus, Marc stayed on the front lines, risking his own health for his patients. After an arduous 12 hour shift, even with a long commute home, Marc would clock out but would not leave, continuing to stay to soothe nervous patients and pray with them if they asked.

If Marc was dedicated to nursing, even more so, fatherhood. After a long time of trying, Marc and Zanna were blessed with twin daughters. Marc questioned whether he could be a good father, but he fell into the role of dad with ease. With twins as the first two babies in the family, it was all hands on deck and Marc was all in. He truly shined as a father, doting on his girls any chance he could. Three years later, Marc and Zanna were blessed with another beautiful baby girl. Marc was deeply loved by his daughters. He was always coming up with crazy games or building contraptions, bringing much laughter and glee to them all. Top favorites were daddy playground, hair salon, and Nailed It! Gingerbread cookie edition. While humor and fun were central to his time with his girls, he also taught his daughters to be proud of their heritage, to be strong – teaching them to stand up for themselves and be independent thinkers.

Amongst his friends and communities, Marc was a passionate soul who fought endlessly for the vulnerable and marginalized. While still a young teenager, Marc was a volunteer firefighter with East Setauket Fire Department. In high school he was deeply active in a student group that helped to rebuild a historic footbridge by the Brewster House on Main Street. When a good friend was attacked in college, Marc fearlessly took up the flag for LGBTQ rights during a time when fighting for gay rights still carried a level of social stigma. Marc even started a group called “Say So,” which encouraged LGBTQ college students to stand up and not feel ashamed for being exactly who they are. His care for others continued into his married life where Zanna and Marc flew to Africa to provide medical care at a rural clinic. There, Marc delivered his first baby who the parents named after him. He also bonded with the local Maasai chief and was gifted a rungu in honor of their friendship.

Marc had a wicked sense of humor and knew the craft of a good story– he was often seen at the center of a circle of friends weaving tales of outrageous adventures and side-splitting revelations. He knew how to get people on the dance floor. As gregarious as he was, he could just as easily find the one person sitting alone at the bar, draw that person out, and provide a sympathetic ear. Marc had a knack for finding common ground and for connecting with broken souls in a way that made them feel less alone.

Marc was active in his faith in a “punk Christian” kind of way. With a tattoo of the crown of thorns on his arm, he was fearless in his words and actions to not just pronounce, but to live the words of Jesus while grooving to ska, rap, counter-culture rock, and Dr. Demento songs. He returned to his Catholic roots bringing this same passion to his and Zanna’s work with Engaged Encounter and his spiritual life with his family.

At his heart, Marc loved God, family, hockey, emerging artists, psychologically complex books, and bear tchotchkes.

Marc is dearly missed by his wife, Suzanna, and their three daughters; his sisters and their husbands, Christine & Guinn, and Jocelyn & Anthony; and his parents, Francisco & Lourdes Pechera. He joins his big brother, Francis Rex, in heaven.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 9:00AM-10:00AM at O. B. Davis Funeral Home, 4839 Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776. Prayer service at 10AM at the funeral home. Immediately afterwards, a procession will stop at Marc’s childhood home before proceeding to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 3442 Route 112, Coram, NY 11727, where Marc will be laid to rest next to his big brother, who inspired him to live life fully and purposefully as a vessel for God’s love.

Forever in Our Hearts - Friends and family are welcome to visit Marc’s perpetual Celebration of Life Memorial website at : https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/qNcEU29n/MarcPechera to share photos, videos, memories, stories, and tributes. Appropriate photos and text will be published into a book for Marc’s three little girls to cherish

Afterwards, please join our family and all who loved Marc at the bereavement reception from 12 pm to 4 pm at The Curry Club (111 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777). The Curry Club was one of Marc's favorite places to meet up with friends (at its old location in Stony Brook). A buffet will be served with a cash bar. We will have a mic and speaker set up to share our stories and memories of Marc.