Mark Alan Paranto

February 7, 1957 - February 14, 2022

Mark Alan Paranto age 65 passed away after a valiant 2-year battle with cancer, surrounded by his family and loved ones on Valentine's Day February 14, 2022, at home in Pitman NJ. Mark was born on February 7, 1957, to Arthur J. and Pauline Paranto nee (Brissette) in Oakland Ca. and later moved with his family to Swedesboro NJ where the family settled, grew and was home for many years.

Mark attended St. Joseph's Catholic School and Church as a young child, transferring to Walter Hill School in Grade 4, before finalizing his formal education at Kingsway Regional High School in the Class of 1975.  He especially enjoyed and held in high regard a few of his teachers – Sister Clara Doris, Mrs. Hill, Mr. Gibbs, and Mr. Rajczy.

He was athletic and cherished his days playing Little League and Teener League baseball and on the KRHS Dragon football team.  He cherished his childhood and teen years, memories, and friendships throughout his lifetime, maintaining many through Facebook, Text Messaging, etc. One most special moment in time was when he crowned KRHS Prom Queen, Andrea McGraw, never knowing she would become a most cherished gift and future love in his later years.

Mark was a man of many skills, interests, and work experiences.  He worked and played hard, taking pride in various skills, and relishing opportunities to share and transfer his knowledge, convictions, and zest for living.  He fondly remembered as a young teen working at the family store, Colossal Cold Cuts, in Woodstown, NJ contributing to its success and being Dad's right-hand man.  Mark became the consummate truck driver, accumulating 3,000,000 miles 'over the road' commerce in his career.  In recent years his interest in golf, nature, operating equipment, and interacting with others led him to step down from behind the wheel of his semi rig and move into golf course landscape and maintenance at Valleybrook Golf Country Club.  He especially took pride in his straight fairway and green cuts.  He spoke highly of his boss, Tom Swanson, and took the much younger team he worked with and under his wing.

Mark was known for his gift of gab and impeccable recall of details and information. It was hard to keep up with him and his train of thoughts. He had strong point of views and would adamantly voice his displeasure at the conflicts and injustices in the world.

He was creative, even authoring a book, Black Box Conspiracy, having it published in 2015.  It is available online and so will remain a part of his legacy.  Mark also penned many poems, exploring and sharing a full gamut of feelings and emotions.  He even started another book that was never quite completed.  Mark also enjoyed painting, expressing in this special way, his love of nature and life.

Marks culinary skills were extraordinary, and his meals were truly outstanding. He also had a green thumb and would grow his herbs and vegetables that he would use to create his fresh, healthy cuisine.

He was a Jack of all trades and was very handy around the home.

Mark's idea of relaxing in most recent years was sitting on the back porch with a cigarette watching the animals and birds in the backyard, although across the years he was at home and peace being on or at a lake fishing, boating or landing many largemouth bass.

He was predeceased in death by His parents Arthur and Pauline Paranto; his sister Charlotte Paranto; and his brother Gary. Mark is survived by his devoted companion Andrea Reed of Pitman NJ; 4 children Mark D. Paranto (Carrie) of Barrington NJ; Steven Paranto (Kylene) of Moseley VA; Michael Paranto (Kait) of Deptford NJ; Danielle Paranto (Ashley) of Oaklyn NJ; 2 honorary stepchildren Ryan Hain (Cortney) of Pitman; Laurie Hain (Mike) of Pitman NJ; 5 siblings Norma Callahan of Keystone Heights FL; Nancy Byrd (Stephen) of Kingsport Tennessee; Greg Paranto (Donna) of West Deptford NJ; Mary Nix (Barry) of Lewes Delaware; Jeanne Erdley (Rick) of Havre de Grace MD, 8 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Mark at the Ellis-Stiefel Funeral Home 301 Highland Ave. Westville NJ 08093 on Saturday February 26, 2022, at 12:00pm with his memorial service at 1:00pm.

Memories and condolences may be shared @ellisstiefelfuneralhome.com

Time can be funny, but also unkind.

You can dwell in its days, and not pay any mind.

God, we don't understand the ways you've planned mankind.

There is joy and sorrow, time you can't borrow.

The years seem fast, yet sometimes slow.

They're constantly changing, as they ebb and flow.

"Cherish it" you said, for tomorrow's not guaranteed.

Enjoy the small things, smile more often, for this, you will be freed.

Of your worries and strife, which many shall come,

but remember that love, is the ultimate sum.

Your time, Dad, has gone. The rig runs no more, Big Red has gone quiet, the CB turned off. Your seat, now empty, the pedals lay bare, the cab's gone dark, sadly now, we've lost "Skidmark".

Grief's come upon us, it seems much stronger, however your memory, will last even longer.

Rest now, weary trucker, your worries no more.

They've tallied the marks, we have the final score.

Your presence will be missed. Your energy so vibrant, strange to now think, that all of that is silent.

Love on those we've lost, Dad, of whom we sorely miss. For our time will come, reunited, a time of gleeful bliss.

In loving memory of my Dad, Mark A. Paranto