Mark Edmund Turay

Mark Edmund Turay, aged 67, passed away peacefully after a brave battle with cancer on April 11, 2023, surrounded by family. Born July 26, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois to Edmund and Ileana Turay, Mark was a twin brother to Matthew and older brother to Raymond who both survive him. Mark is also survived by Matthew’s wife, Donna, his brother-in-law, Chuck, and his wife, Susan. Mark is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, great nephews, and a large extended family.

Mark graduated from Mt. Prospect High School in 1973. After a year at Monmouth College, Mark transferred to Eastern Illinois University. Through Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, he met Lisa, the love of his life and best friend. Their life verse was Romans 15:6 “That we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.” In addition to college Bible studies, Mark enjoyed intramural sports and worked his way through school, incurring minimal debt. The first in his family to graduate from college, Mark obtained a Psychology degree.

The couple happily married in 1978 and lived in the Chicago area, working together at Moody Press. It was then Mark realized his true passion in sports- playing competitive fast pitch baseball which he continued until his early 60’s.

After several years in sales, Mark began a ten-year career as a District Manager for the “Rocky Mountain News”. He loved working with children who were carriers, often helping them win contests. While there, Mark and Lisa had two sons, David and Kyle. A devoted dad, Mark tried to be home when the boys came home from school. Mark enjoyed attending football games and track meets for David alongside Lisa, and Mark successfully coached Kyle’s baseball team for many years.

Mark then began a ten-year career as a mortgage banker. He earned the status of Millionaire Club member multiple times and enjoyed all expense paid trips with Lisa to the Hawaiian Islands. Working with integrity, Mark sometimes talked clients out of becoming house poor. After the housing industry collapsed, Mark switched his career to Facility Manager for Canon and Century Link. Mark remained active in his church, too, with roles including Sports Director, Life Group Coordinator, and Elder. He also faithfully supported Lisa’s busy career as a teacher. All the while Mark continued to play on competitive fast pitch baseball teams.

In 2018, Mark and Lisa happily watched Kyle marry his lovely bride, Jesse. The two had sweet Lily, the joy of her grandparents. In 2020, Mark proudly pinned a deputy sheriff badge on David. In 2022, Mark began fighting cancer. Mark and Lisa were hopeful when a recent scan showed much improvement, but Mark’s kidneys unexpectedly failed. Ironically, their son, David, is now in need of a kidney transplant himself.

Mark’s fun-loving spirit in life exuded in his caring heart, a subtle wit, and a deep faith. His love of the Bible kept him involved in an online Bible study with other men. And as a lifelong learner, Mark read many books about walking with Jesus. Mark’s favorite verse was 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Mark’s faith in Jesus was an incredible strength, even through cancer, which will undoubtedly influence those close to him for generations. In Heaven, Mark joins his parents as well as Lisa’s parents, Arthur and Patricia, and his sister-in-law, Donna Jean.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life at Waterstone Community Church in Littleton on Ascension Day, which is Thursday, May 18th, at 5:30 pm. A dinner will follow the service. Mark wanted a joyful celebration of Jesus’ promise of everlasting life, so feel free to wear cheerful colors.