Mark Waterbury Bentley

Mark Waterbury Bentley was born on December 26, 1946, to John and Suzanne Bentley. Mark was a beautiful baby boy who then grew into a very handsome young man and had an incredible talent for singing- in particular, opera. Mark joined his parents and brother, John, in eternal rest on July 21, 2026. He leaves behind his niece, Erika (Cameron) Leonard, nephew, Peter (Surin) Bentley, sister-in-law, Melinda Bentley, as well as two great nephews, Nicholas and Noah, and two great nieces, Vivien and Audrey.

Mark lived with his parents, brother, and maternal grandmother in Little Silver, NJ and then the family moved to Rumson, NJ. He attended two boarding schools as a child- The Church Farm School in Exton, Pennsylvania for a time, and The Choir School of St. Thomas Church in Manhattan, then came back home to attend and graduate from Forrestdale School in Rumson, NJ. Mark then went on to graduate from Rumson-Fair Haven High School on June 24, 1965. During the summer of 1964, Mark was employed at The Peninsula House in Sea Bright. He had fun working with friends and from then on looked forward to parties with his friends. He attended college and went on to work at the International Cinematographers Guild for several decades.

Mark loved everything theatrical. He had a deep tenor singing voice which led him well to participate in numerous operas. He performed with the Amato Theater, under the wonderful Maestro Anthony Amato. Mark performed many roles at The Amato Opera, serving as Maestro Amato’s assistant and stage director, as well as performing with the company. The theater closed in 2009 when Maestro Amato retired, and the company went on to become Amore Opera, which is still operating today.

Mark became sober more than 40 years ago. Sobriety was something very important to him.

He was also a member of the LGBTQ community and developed many long-lasting friendships during his many decades living in The Village and Queens, NYC. Mark was an activist and supporter of gay rights.

Mark’s hard work and dedication helped fund his desire to travel the world. He absolutely loved traveling and making new friends all around the world. His friends were very important to Mark. He loved going out for dinner or heading to the theater to see a play or an opera, as well and enjoying the latest movie with his friends.

Mark had a loud, boisterous laugh and voice. His smile and bright sparkling blue eyes lit up the room. He was very animated, loved dark humor and British history. Mark was an extremely well-read man, with a sharp wit. Always curious, thoughtful, funny, opinionated, and highly intelligent.

In the last 25 years, Mark rescued several dogs, always small, little dogs. His favorite was the dachshund breed. Lily was his last dog, he loved her dearly and has been living with her dog walker now for quite a few years. She is well cared for.

In his later years since retiring, health-wise was not ideal. He suffered from heart problems and other issues that eventually stole his voice, his balance, and independence. Mark lived a very full life. He traveled, he sang, he loved, he enjoyed the spotlights of the stage, he loved the Jersey Shore, his life in NYC, his family, his friends, his dogs, and his independence.

Mark’s family and friends will miss him very much.