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Mark Priest Obituary

A performer at Walt Disney World and theater-community mainstay died Monday, four days after he was injured onstage at the Magic Kingdom. Mark Priest, 47, fell Thursday while playing in "Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial," an interactive show in which actors lead guests through a series of pirate-skills tests, a Disney spokeswoman said. Priest, who was in a mock sword fight, stumbled on a wet spot on the stage and then banged into a wall, said friend Jeffrey Breslauer. His injuries included a broken vertebra in his neck and a cut that required 55 stitches to his scalp. Priest was moved out of intensive care and appeared to be improving, but he experienced complications Monday and died at Florida Hospital Orlando, friends said. An official cause of death has not been determined. He was also a partner in JMJ Entertainment, which created audio cassettes, like spooky Halloween sounds. - Orlando Sentinel

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Published by The Palm Beach Post from Aug. 11 to Dec. 16, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Priest

30 Entries

September 18, 2019

My condolences to the Family's..God is a God of all Comfort...

Brett Warnelis

April 15, 2013

Working at Disney now as a photographer, I learned of Mark's passing. I was an original Ghostbuster with him at Universal.Great talent-Brett Warnelis, April 2013.

Joe McFate

December 7, 2009

I had the pleasure and good fortune to work with Mark in many shows at SUNY Cortland. He was a gentleman, a good soul and an exhuberant performer.
My deepest condolences to his family and many friends.

David Manny

December 6, 2009

I just learned of Mark's passing. I was shocked. I had the pleasure of working with Mark and being his friend at Cortland. I will miss him.

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Janine Hudun Bostick

October 29, 2009

Wow. I can't believe it. Mark was my first college boyfriend. I met him while doing his makeup and hair for "School For Scandal" at SUNY Cortland, and also sang with him in the College Singers choir. He was a good guy and a very talented singer and actor. I was later able to enjoy his work at the Sterling NY Renaissance Faire. Rest In Peace Old Friend. We will miss you at the reunion.

Grant

September 9, 2009

When tragedy strikes and takes the life of our loved ones, many cry out with great sorrow. Your tears are not unnoticed by Our Heavenly Father. Although your deep pain will not easily disappear, prayer to God will bring comfort to you as you grieve. The Bible assures us God "is healing the broken hearted ones, and is binding up their painful spot." Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Mary Remington Mumby

August 30, 2009

I want to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.

Melissa Kelly-McCabe

August 23, 2009

With sadness in my heart, as I type this, I think of Mark. I, too, went to FHS with Mark - so many choir concerts, plays and musicals! I have felt glad that, through the years, he was doing what he loved. My heart goes out to the Priest family.

Susan Lasher

August 22, 2009

I knew Mark back in high school. We were in drama club together and we also worked at Perkins. The job was lousy but he always made it fun to go into work. He was the consummate gentleman and I am very sad that he is gone.

Mark - 1980

Todd Pegelow

August 22, 2009

Mark was a good friend from junior high and high school and one of those people who we all knew would follow his passions in life.

Though I lost touch with Mark after FHS, his smile, voice and presence live in my memory today almost as vividly as they did 30 years ago.

The world has lost a genuine entertainer and we have lost a genuine old friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark's loving family. Thank you for sharing Mark with each of us. We shall treasure our individual memories of him and we share in your unbearable sorrow.

God Bless Mark, his family and his friends.

Jean and Michael Willis

August 21, 2009

WE only met Mark once, being friends of his parents. He was larger than life and full of fun, so we made friends at once. He will be missed in the world of theatre

Jenny Basil

August 20, 2009

I knew Mark back in high school -- we met in a production of "Carinval". I was merely the "armless wonder" and Mark the Ringmaster of the whole show. Yet he made me feel like my 3 whole lines were the most important thing in the world when he was on stage with me. So generous and full of life. Nothing but positivity. It does not surprise me his first concern was not to frighten the kids when he was injured. A bright star lights up the sky tonight.

Jenny Basil

Tracey Nichols-Hurtz

August 20, 2009

I have very fond memories of Mark from our High School days. The best were our trip to New York City nad being in choir together. At the end of high school we lost touch and I have always had a special place in my heart for this lovin and exuberant cheerful man, who could always make me smile. The world has truly lost a gem!! My prayers go to his family.

Brant McCance

August 19, 2009

I worked with Mark at Ghostbusters in universal along with Kenny. He was the best Walter Peck of the bunch. I'll always remember him telling the folks after they boo'd his character. "This isn't Disney. I don't have to be nice to you." That always got a laugh from me in the booth. He will be greatly missed.

Joe Chromy

August 19, 2009

I can't believe it... I am stunned. Mark and I went to High School together. The thought of a world without his infectious laughter, bright smile and enthusiastic life haunts me. I will miss you Mark. I will pray for Mark and his family.

Wendy Maddison-Turner

August 19, 2009

I remember Mark from High School - great person and fun to be around. May he rest in peace. God Bless Mark and his family.

Peter Doyle

August 19, 2009

This dear man was a friend of mine since High School. I am so saddened by this news. He will be missed by many. My prayers are with his family.

Kerry Weisner

August 17, 2009

I am shocked and so very sad to hear this news. I worked with Mark for a couple of years as Sleuths. He always made me laugh during long days of guest appearences. Mark was so talented and I feel so greatful to have known him. I had lost touch with Mark but know he will be missed. My deepest prayers go out to his loved ones.

Dennis Dudley

August 17, 2009

I have known Mark since High School. He was always a great person to be around and he always cared about others before himself. My condolences to his family, Dave, Ann and Marcia, and all those that knew him. He was one of a kind and will be deeply missed.

Jeff Hicks

August 17, 2009

I am devastated. Mark and I worked together over 20 years ago and even shared an apartment. We were an odd couple in many ways: Mark very ebullient and outgoing, and I much quieter and reserved. But we shared a lot of interests and had a lot of fun together. I recently reconnected with Mark via Facebook and was looking forward to renewing our friendship.

I'm very sad.

Joe Lonardo

August 17, 2009

I have known Mark since our junior year at Fairport High. We have kept in touch all these years and I can say I have lost a great friend. My love and condolences to all who knew him and now miss him. He is one of the best ...

Andrea Hawthorne

August 16, 2009

Our family had the joy of seeing Mark perform in the pirate tutorial Sep. 3, 2008. He did not know us personally, however, I really feel like he reached out to us and made our family feel extra special. ---- there must be thousands of families with special memories and smiles in their hearts all because of this one beautiful man. I was lucky enough to video this performance, I will always cherish the memory. I hope Mark's family and friends are finding comfort in these stories and that they know just how many people were touched by Mark's life. God's healing hand be on your heart, The Hawthorne family of Coshocton, Oh

Jon Freda

August 16, 2009

Mark Priest a dear friend of mine. I worked with him at Sleuths for over 10 years. He taught me a lot about developing my characters on stage and comedy. We became good friends and collaborated on writing and performing in an audiobook. May he rest in peace and do his "magic" for the "Big Guy" upstairs.

Erma Sandora

August 13, 2009

"ETERNAL REST GRANT TO HIM OH LORD AND LET YOUR PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM." I will surely miss Mark. He would stop by Cosmetology here at Walt Disney World and make us laugh and make a fuss over us. God Bless Mark and His Family. He was a great entertainer and brought great joy to all he encountered.

Elizabeth

August 13, 2009

May God be with you in your time of sorrow. I did not know Mr. Priest personally but his career touched many.

carol Stein

August 13, 2009

Your smile and your amazing voice will always remain in our hearts. You are now going on a mission to boldly going to a new frontier!

Phyllis Cambria

August 13, 2009

I knew Mark as a friend before I had a chance to see him at work. Acting before an audience and making people - especially children - laugh was what he enjoyed most in life. As an actor he was a great comic and mimic. As a friend he was treasured by all of us lucky enough to know him. While I'll miss the laughter he brought into my life, I'll miss his warmth, loving ways and bear hugs even more.

FICO FAMILY

August 11, 2009

God bless the friends and family of Mark. I did not know him personally, although; it sounds like he had a heart of gold and throughly enjoyed entertaining and making others smile. He left this world doing something that he really enjoyed.
My prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

Knowles Family

August 11, 2009

An amazing actor and wonderful guy. He made the annual trip to Disney so much more fun. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of his family and friends.

McCauley Family

August 11, 2009

The world has lost a fun and gentle man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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