RANDOLPH A. MARKS

RANDOLPH A. MARKS - PALM BEACH, Fla. - Business Leader, Philanthropist, Sportsman, Randolph A. Marks, a pioneer in the evolution of the computer industry, died at the age of 76 in Palm Beach, Fla. on March 31, 2012. Mr. Marks was born in Rome, N.Y. in 1935. He graduated from Lehigh University in 1957 and went to work at Rome Cable. His successful career in sales began in 1960, when he was hired by IBM in Buffalo, N.Y. His first clients were Roswell Park and Millard Fillmore Hospital. In 1966, Mr. Marks and G. David Baer, his former IBM colleague, formed Computer Task Group, headquartered in Buffalo. Under their leadership, CTG grew from a small western New York operation of computer programmers and project managers, into a NASDQ corporation offering IT and business consulting to the healthcare and technology sectors in the US and Europe. Mr. Marks retired as CEO of CTG in 1984 and remained on its board until his death. In 1985 Mr. Marks and Paul Joy, former president of the Carborundum Co., headed a group of investors that purchased American Brass, a leading US producer of brass and copper products, from the Atlantic Richfield Company. He served as Chairman of the Board until 1990, when the company was sold to a Finnish firm. Mr. Marks continued in business as a private investor with an office in the historic Cyclorama Building in Buffalo. He served on several corporate boards including Columbus McKinnon, Ciminelli Construction Company, Delaware North Companies, HSBC, Pratt and Lambert, and Trico. He received numerous awards for his community leadership, including WNY Man of the Year in 1989. That same year he was named Executive of the Year by SUNY School of Management. Mr. Marks was known for his personal generosity and his strong support of many cultural institutions in Buffalo. He sat on the boards of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, the American Heart Association, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo Hearing and Speech, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Seymour H. Knox Foundation, Studio Arena, Ducks Unlimited and the Genesee Valley Hunt. After the sale of American Brass in 1991, he established the Marks Family Foundation, which continues to support under-served populations through programs in health, education, the environment and the arts. An avid sailor, hunter, fisherman and all around sportsman, Mr. Marks traveled the world in pursuit of adventure. An accomplished woodworker, he built reproduction 18th century furniture finished with inlay, veneer or handtooled leather for his children. Some of his happiest times were spent with friends and family during the 20 years he and his wife, Sally, lived at "Welcome" in East Aurora. As a gentleman farmer, he enjoyed all aspects of country life including clearing riding trails in the woods, overseeing a herd of Belted Galloway cattle and hosting an annual Thanksgiving clay-pigeon shoot. In keeping with his committed love of the land, the farm is now part of the Genesee Valley Land Conservancy. Mr. Marks suffered a serious stroke in 2001 that left him physically compromised. In a testimony to his patience, optimism and courage, Mr. Marks continued to participate in many of his former activities. He fished in Iceland and New Brunswick, sailed in two Shake-a-Leg regattas, took golf lessons, painted and exhibited watercolors and traveled to Europe and the Caribbean. He spent his winters in Palm Beach, Fla. The last years of his life were enriched by wonderful women like Josephine Cane, Debra Kull, Evelyn Steadman and many others who worked with and cared for him. He had an infectious smile, a great sense of humor and such a kind nature, a nature he carried so effortlessly. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sally; four children by his first wife, Julia Wilkin Marks (deceased), Wendelyn M. Duquette (Donald) of Waterbury Center, Theodore E. Marks II (Elizabeth) of Buffalo, N.Y., Heather M. Palmer (Marc) of Stowe, and Joshua R. Marks (Joanna) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; three stepchildren, Alice O'Malley Abell of New York, Charles Lee Abell III (Margaret) of Rochester, N.Y., and Edward S. G. Abell (Bruce Rinderman) of New York; nine grandchildren; as well as his cousin, Peter S. Updike; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Theo Marks Balch. Services will be private, but a ceremony in Mr. Marks' honor will be held at 3 p.m., April 20, 2012, in Trinity Episcopal Church, 371 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, N.Y. Donations in Mr. Marks' name may be made to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222, Lehigh University, 27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015, or Hospice of Western New York, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227-1480.