Mark L. Knapp, 43, a brilliant, loving and adored, husband, son, brother, uncle, great-uncle, cousin, and friend, died Thursday, June 1, 2023 at his family’s home in Conesus, NY after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Mark was born in Osaka, Japan to Megumi (Nakajima) and Lee Knapp. At age three, the Knapp family relocated to Rutherford, NJ, where Mark attended preschool. After the addition of Mark’s sister Melodee, the family settled in Wayland, NY. Here, the family became dedicated members of the Springwater Church of the Nazarene. New York is where the Knapp’s put down roots, where Mark started kindergarten, learned piano from his mom, landed a choice paper route and made the first of many, life-long friends.
In school, Mark was a New York State Scholar-Athlete, playing varsity tennis for Wayland Cohocton Central and finishing second in the Livingston County Class 13 Doubles Tournament. Mark excelled in academics, participating in National Honor Society, high school Brain Stormers and was voted Most Studious by the graduating class of 1998. Mark had an appreciation for classical music, starting with piano in childhood and progressing to flute in high school. He loved instrumental music, especially Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and the works of Vivaldi.
Mark attended college at the Rochester Institute of Technology and was an active member of the Sigma Pi fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from the College of Applied Science and Technology. Greek life brought Mark countless experiences, friendships and professional relationships. One night, at a birthday party for one of these friends, Mark met the great love of his life, Jeanine.
With their marriage came deep love, travel and adventure. Professional opportunities through Mark’s employer, RoviSys Building Technologies, brought various moves across the US. The couple settled in Cary, NC, before a work assignment sent them to the Netherlands, kicking off a period of exploration across Europe. Together, Mark and Jeanine traveled to more than 20 countries. They zip lined through the jungles of Costa Rica, perfected rich bolognese in Italy, explored ancient ruins and shimmering Mediterranean beaches in Greece, cracked into black-shelled eggs simmered in Japanese hot springs and basked in the bright white silence at the peak of the Austrian Alps.
Mark lived his life with gusto. He embraced the people and experiences in his life path. For him, food was an adventure. Mark was never one to turn down the offer of a free hot dog, turkey leg, or perhaps other – questionable – mystery street fare. He relished long meals with family and friends. Mark’s Japanese heritage instilled a deep love of Asian cuisine and culture. This hunger for life meshed perfectly with Jeanine and the rest of the Cisco family. Together, they became “boat level” sushi enthusiasts, with Mark guiding the way through every succulent hunk of sashimi.
Mark was fluent in Japanese and returned to Japan many times to visit family and immerse himself in the beauty and thoughtfulness of Japanese culture. This influence was in his very essence and character.
Mark was the epitome of joy, laughter and love. He was devoted to Jeanine, their families and friends. He was beloved by those who knew him and an example to all of a life well-lived.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife of 14 years, Jeanine (Cisco) Knapp, parents Lee and Megumi (Nakajima) Knapp of Crossville, TN; sister Melodee Knapp of Chicago, IL; father and mother-in-law Butch and Katherine Cisco of Conesus, NY; brother-in-law James (Durinda) Cisco; and sister-in-law Karalee (Dave) Kircher. In addition, Mark is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Friends and family are invited for a Celebration of Life Gathering from 2-7PM on Sunday, June 18th 2023 at the Deer Run Winery, 3772 West Lake Road in Geneseo, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society B. Thomas Golisano Hope Lodge, 1120 South Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14620. To offer condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Jeanine,
Please accept our condolences on your loss. You and Mark were wonderful neighbors and we wish you well as you adapt to life without him.
Stephen & Melissa, 317 Arvo
To the entire Knapp family: I did not know your beloved nor do I know any of you. I stumbled across Mark’s obituary whilst looking for someone else’s.
The life and legacy of Mark brought me to tears. The world is a much lesser place without his presence. He was a true renaissance man. What a phenomenal human he was. I am not easily impressed. I am overwhelmed at what he accomplished during his short life. May God Bless you and may his grace carry you all through your grief.
ex animo
Dear Jeanine and Marks family and friends,
I am heartbroken to hear the sad news that Mark has left us, he has left the world in better shape and left a lasting impression in many corners of it.
I had the pleasure of working alongside Mark while he was in The Netherlands and he quickly became a friend and my Tech Support for anything Rockwell related. My sincerest condolences to you Jeanine, the whole family and all his work colleagues at RBT.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
I knew Mark in his boyhood, and I was blessed to visit him recently. He has always been a a joy. Mark’s bright spirit will shine on… as his kindness has enriched others and his star twinkles in the heavens.
My condolences to Jeanine and Mark’s loved ones during this time of grief. I was lucky to have Mark as my mentor when I joined RBT and throughout my time with the company. He was definitely a brilliant and loving person. May we all continue to cherish the moments we were able to share with him here on earth.
I remember when I met Mark at work in Eemshaven, Netherlands, back in 2016. He was an incredible person and an incredible engineer. Our long days were so much better with Mark around. He’s bright spirit, happiness and sense of humor made the days flyby. I will always remember our discussions on how to make things work perfectly. I will always remember him with a smile on his face whenever we met. It was an absolute pleasure to know him and work with him.
My deepest condolences to Jeanine and the whole family.
Rest in Peace, brother. Man, I can still see your face and hear your laughter like it was yesterday. I’m sorry we lost touch, though I’d often think of you. It was good to read about how full of adventure and love your life was. Thanks for the friendship and memories together back in school. I’ll miss you.
Jeanine,
What a beautiful and touching tribute to your husband… I am not a fan of sorry for your loss although I know sometimes we just don’t have the words.. so I am happy for the years’ you had together, what an adventure. You saw and did more that twenty plus people could in your lifetime. You have a great family which will support you. By the way, your parent’s forgot to put that second “n” in your name.
LOL
Love
Jeannine and Glenn Miller
I love how Jeanine and Mark soaked up all the joy and beauty life has to offer. What an inspiration and legacy.
Mark is a hero in so many ways. There are very few people of whom I can say not only truly believed in me, but of whom I also truly believed in.
He was the most patient, understanding, and humble human. The world will not be the same without him here, but is a prettier, better place because he was here.
Fly high, dude.