Mark M. Gurevich

The world has lost an amazing man…Mark Gurevich was a loving husband of 58 years to Larisa, the love of his life. He was also a devoted and caring father to his son, Sasha, who to this day feels immense pride and honor in having such a wonderful father. Mark was also a grandfather like no other to Sophia, whom he showered with love since her birth (she was his pride and joy). He also cherished his parents, his sister, Irene and her family. His family was always his primary priority. He was a true mensch.

Mark was born in 1940 in Kiev, Soviet Union (present day Ukraine) after the start of World War II. His earliest memories were of post war devastation and hunger. He recalled the times when he and his childhood friends would sneak onto trains and ride out into the fields to dig up often frozen left over potatoes to bring back to their families for food. As a result, throughout his life, he could not bring himself to throw out food.

Mark was also highly intelligent and prized education. He loved to read books his entire life and was well versed on seemingly any topic. He went on to become an engineer, despite the anti-Semitic barriers in colleges and the workplace in the former USSR.

Mark also had a magnetic personality. People who met him tended to love him. He had a large group of friends throughout his life, many of whom were his friends from childhood. His son recalls that in Kiev, a large city, often when Mark would board a bus, someone recognized him and would shout out “Mark.” He also liked to have a good time, be it celebrating various occasions with his family and friends, playing cards, spending time at the blackjack tables in Los Vegas and traveling.

In 1979, through tremendous hardship, Mark was able to bring his family from the USSR to the USA; this was done mostly so that his son would have a better life. He came to the USA with few financial resources and little knowledge of English but worked tirelessly (never turning down an opportunity to work overtime) to provide for his family. His hard work paid off and he instilled the value of education and hard work in his son (being immensely proud of his son’s and granddaughter’s accomplishments). America was his land of opportunity; he was an eternal patriot of this country.

He is predeceased by his mother, Hava, his father, Moisha, his sister, Irene, and his nephew, Edward. He is survived by his wife, Larisa, son, Sasha, daughter in law, Nichole, granddaughter, Sophia, step-grandson, Devon and niece, Marina.