Mark C. Rostkowski, 65, life-long resident of Duryea, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at his home.

Mark was born in Pittston on April 15, 1958. He was the son of the late Michael and Regina “Irene” (Branas) Rostkowski. Mark graduated from Holy Rosary Parochial School in 1972, and from Pittston Area High School, class of 1976. In 1981 he graduated from University of Scranton.

After college, Mark was employed at Nabisco and subsequently at Home Depot in Wilkes-Barre where he was still employed at the time of his passing. Mark also served as councilman and mayor of Duryea.

Athletics was a life-long love of Mark’s. As a youth he excelled as a pitcher in the Duryea Little League and Teener League. Mark was an outstanding player for the Pittston Area Patriots basketball team during all of his high school years, then continued on a basketball scholarship as an integral player for the University of Scranton Royals.

Mark was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea.

He is survived by his sister, Deborah Pesta and husband, Raymond, West Wyoming; sister, Karen Lacey and husband, Gerald, Duryea; twin brother, Michael Rostkowski, Larksville; nephew, Michael Jeffrey Rostkowski and wife, Amanda, together with their children, Cameron Ford (great nephew) and Rosalyn Camille (great niece), Wapwollopen. Mark very much loved his nephew, great nephew, and great niece.

Mark "fought the good fight"; he had a big heart. We love you, Mark.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 10:00 am at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea with the Rev. Michael Bryant and Deacon Andre Kabacinski officiating. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Duryea. A viewing will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main Street, Duryea. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church the morning of the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Rosary School Athletic Program, 125 Stephenson Street, Duryea, PA 18642. To leave an online condolence for Mark's family, please visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfuneralhome.com.

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR ONLINE CONDOLENCE WILL NOT APPEAR UNDER THE GUESTBOOK ENTRIES UNTIL IT IS APPROVED BY THE FUNERAL HOME

Guestbook Entries

RIP my friend. Condolences to the entire Rostkowski family.

Robert J Galuska (8 months ago)

Condolences to Mark’s family.

Joe Dula (8 months ago)

Our condolences to the family

(8 months ago)

Rest In Eternal Peace.

Linda Maichin (8 months ago)

Great guy and a great friend...rest in peace.

Warholak Family (8 months ago)

To the family of Mark, or as I called him Mr. Mayor, may your hearts be filled with fond memories of “The Mayor”. May he always hold a special place within your hearts. We worked together for a bit and I always made it a point to visit with during my excursions to The Home Depot. A True Gentleman In My Book! Rest Easy My Friend. Your suffering that you hid very well has passed. Your friend “The Dj” as you called me. Jim Lombardo

James Lombardo (8 months ago)

My sincere condolences on Mark's passing, long time friend, and true Gentleman

Samuel DeStefano (8 months ago)

On behalf of myself and my parents, our deepest condolences to Karen, Gerry and the Rostkowski family on Mark’s passing. Sending prayers and much love at this difficult time.

Cheryl Lampman Nowak (8 months ago)

So sorry for the loss of Mark. Duryea has lost a favorite son. Heaven's gain.

James P Dennis (8 months ago)

A great classmate! We extend our deepest sympathy.

Fred Pierantoni III (8 months ago)

Mark "has fought the good fight. He has "finished the race." He has "kept the fatih." (2 Tim. 4:7) "Well, done, good and faithful servant." (Mt. 25:23). Our hearts go out to all of you.

Patsy, Ted and the Varga Family (8 months ago)

May God Bless

Joe Donahue (8 months ago)

Mike & family, So saddened to hear of Mark's passing. May your memories comfort you in the days ahead.

Ann Flannelly Condon (8 months ago)

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Mark was a great guy and I have a lot of fun memories with him. RIP

Bernie (8 months ago)

Very sorry to hear about Mark. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

Frank Bonacci (8 months ago)

Our condolences to the family. Rest in Peace, Mark.

Bob & Lynn Cingolani (8 months ago)

Rest easy my friend

Mike Mesaris (8 months ago)

So sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Jim Hoover (8 months ago)

Mark was special. I have such fond memories of our years growing up, but what I remember most was how after my dad died he made it a point to let my mom know that if she needed him for even the simplest task- he was available. She never called on him for anything- but she really felt honored that "the mayor" was at her beck and call. And while people often offer their assistance- Mark really meant it! Indeed- he had a big heart. Please know you are all in my prayers.

Mary Ann (Kilyanek) Constanzer (8 months ago)

My deepest condolences to Mike and family. May he rest in peace.

Janet Borzell Lavelle (8 months ago)

Sending love and condolences to all of you! Always a sad day when we lose part of our family, but Mark was so young and this breaks my heart. Wishing you the strength to guide you there days ahead and never forget the great man he was. Love Sharon

Sharon Justick Sich (8 months ago)

So glad I got to see Mark at our last class reunion. Everyone was so happy to see him. May God rest his soul. Such a nice guy. Condolences to all of Mark’s family.

Barbara Pirrella-Sico (8 months ago)

I'm so sorry for your loss. Mark was always a great guy.

Emily Eaton (8 months ago)

My condolences to the family. I have fond memories of Mark from high school. He was a great guy. He will be missed.

Ann Marie Stelma Graff (8 months ago)

Our sincere condolences go out to Mark's family and friends..he was a great person

Paula and Joseph Boyko (8 months ago)

Thoughts and prayers are with Mark's family as he was truly a great guy

George Weitz (8 months ago)

So sorry for your loss, he was a great guy !, prayers for the family

.ary jane mzrgavage (8 months ago)

To the family and friends of Mark .. our deepest condolences on your loss of Mark

Judy and Tom Lambert (8 months ago)

We are so very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the memories of your years together.

Rich & Lynn Rachkowski (8 months ago)

So very sorry to hear about Mark he was always nice to us and a great guy and neighbor

Lehrae Ann Edwards (8 months ago)

So very sorry to hear of his passing he will be missed

Robert Kathleen Wondoloski (8 months ago)

Karen and family, Sincere condolences for the loss of your brother Mark. Sending love to everyone from Canada.

Kevin and Elizabeth Lacey (8 months ago)

a great guy and friend and player sorry for your loss rest in peace mark

anthony usavage (8 months ago)

I am very sorry your family lost such a wonderful young man Mark. May the memories you have of him give you comfort.

Mary MacIntyre (8 months ago)

From the streets of Duryea to Little League and Teener League baseball to Pittston Area High School to the University of Scranton to the Duryea Borough council we shared a lifetime of memories. My deepest sympathy to Mike, Karen, Debbie and Mark's entire family. May Mark's memory be eternal.

Stephen Yokimishyn (8 months ago)

Mark, Deborah and Karen So sorry for your loss. My brother Paul Cawley and Mark had so many memories together that Paul shared with me before he passed. Mark you will be truly missed.

Mike Cawley (8 months ago)

I will miss my reminiscing with Mark @ Home Depot. Rest in peace Mark.

Mark J Zara (8 months ago)

So sorry to hear of Marks passing. He will always be remembered as a thoughtful, caring soul. Gone much to soon. Rest in Peace Dear Friend.

Carl and Mary Witkowski (8 months ago)

So sorry to hear about Mark, a great guy and a wonderful neighbor. May he rest in peace. Condolences and prayers to all.

John & JoAnne Zielinski (8 months ago)

So sorry to hear of Mark’s passing.

Joe Rushin (8 months ago)

Expressing my sincere condolences here to my cousin Mark's twin brother Michael and sisters Karen and Deborah, as well as to the rest of R family. Mark will be dearly missed and well-remembered as he was such a nice person -- big heart as everyone says -- and he was the kind of man that's 'your friend for life' once you meet him. As a cousin of mine, I really enjoyed competing in sports with him, such as during the baseball teeners league years (think always-top-contender Duryea vs hapless Avoca!) and also playing some basketball in the back-alley way behind his parents and my across-the-way grandparents' houses in Duryea! Gonna miss you, Mark.... may you rest in peace big man, and, keep dreaming of our eternal spectacular '70 years. I know you're happy with joining your beloved parents in Heaven. Yours cuz. Mark

Mark Justick (8 months ago)

A good neighbor may he rest in peace.

Ron and Carole Zielinski (8 months ago)

I am so sorry for your loss. Mark was a great guy and great uncle.

Jerry Zielinski (8 months ago)

My sincere condolences for your loss. Lois Komensky

Lois Komensky (8 months ago)

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