Mark J. Frisby

February 7, 1961 - September 17, 2025

Mark J. Frisby, a retired top publishing executive at corporations that owned the Inquirer and Daily News, former publisher and president of the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill and a devoted, family-centered husband and father, died Sept. 17, 2025, at his home in Woodbury. He was 64. His death was attributed to a heart attack due to a long-standing medical condition that causes inflammation and damages large arteries.

Mark Joseph Frisby was born Feb. 7, 1961, in Paulsboro, N.J., to the late Maxine and Marvin Frisby. He grew up in a large, close-knit family of seven boys and four girls.

A graduate of Paulsboro High School, Mark embarked on what would become a 29-year career in newspapers in 1987 when he joined the circulation department at Gannett's Courier-Post as a district manager in charge of home delivery. He was promoted several times before Gannett acquired the Asbury Park Press in 1997 and dispatched Mark to be vice president of operations and chief operating officer.

Four years later, Gannett returned Mark to Cherry Hill to become president and publisher of the Courier-Post. During 19 years with Gannett, he won the President's Ring for excellence in management five times.

The former Carol Helton was the executive administrative assistant to the publisher of the Courier-Post when she met Mark in 1988. The couple married at Walt Disney World in 1995. They have two children, Jeffrey and Jenna. Carol and Mark celebrated their 30th anniversary on Sept. 2.

Because of Mark's career, the family moved frequently around New Jersey, including time in Mount Laurel and Jackson. The longest stint was in West Deptford where they lived for 17 years.  "As far as being a father, you couldn't ask for a better father," Carol said. "He was even tempered. He listened." Mark coached Jenna's elementary school softball team in Sicklerville one year, and he never missed Jeffrey's basketball games. The family also enjoyed attending sporting events, taking in the Phillies, the Eagles and the '76ers.

After a group of Philadelphia-area investors created Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC and bought the Inquirer and Daily News in 2006, CEO Brian Tierney persuaded Mark to become the company's executive vice president for production, labor and purchasing. When Mark's appointment was announced, Tierney praised Mark's "tremendous cost-management skills."

Mark was credited with playing a critical role in the early successes at the locally owned newspapers and improving labor relations. John Laigaie, the retired president of Teamsters Local 628, which represents drivers, dispatchers and building service workers, said Mark was a respected, straight-forward negotiator he had dealt with at the Courier-Post. Laigaie and his members took note when Tierney induced Mark to cross the Delaware River.

Six months after arriving in Philadelphia, Mark was named publisher of the Daily News. Even after Tierney and the group of local investors lost control of the newspapers in 2010, Mark remained as a top executive.

In 2014, he was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis, a rare form of vasculitis. Doctors told him the condition was terminal, and he might live only two years. Carol said the ailment affected blood flow in Mark's legs, which made walking difficult. When worsening health problems caused Mark to retire in 2016, he held the title of associate publisher.

The family moved to Woodbury in 2019 and regularly hosted gatherings of the extended Frisby clan. Mark relished them. "He had no hobbies," Carol said. "We were his hobby." Mark took photos at the gatherings. "We have a room dedicated to family pictures. A huge room with pictures all over."

The family is grateful they had more time with Mark than the two years doctors originally had forecast. "We made sure we cherished those years," Carol said. "That's why family gatherings were so important."

In addition to Carol, Jeffrey and Jenna, Mark is survived by brothers, Dennis, Troy, Marlin and Mike; sisters, Wanda Pendelton, Kim, Shelly, and Tara. He was predeceased by brothers, Chuck and Darryl.

Family and friends are invited to Mark's visitation Saturday, Sept. 27, from 2-4 p.m. at Kingdom Hall, 3030 Glassboro-Cross Keys Road, Glassboro, N.J. 08028. Services will begin at 4 p.m.

Memories and condolences may be shared @adamsstiefelfuneralhome.com