Stephen W. Marks

Stephen W. Marks VIRGINIA BEACH - Stephen W. Marks, 66, passed away unexpectedly Feb. 27, 2009, in Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital after complications from spinal surgery. A native of Roscoe, N.Y., he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 17, 1942, the son of the late Martin S. and Eleanor Stern Marks. The owner and operator of the M.S. Marks Trucking Companies in New Jersey and in California for many years, Steve was also retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department where he was a member of the mounted police patrol where he trained many of the police horses. During these years, he was the recipient of a Valor Award for saving a woman's life. A graduate of the General Motors Training Center in Union, N.J., and Flight School in Teterboro, N.J., he also attended City College of New York and graduated from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy in Whittier, Calif. A lifelong Mason, Steve was a member of the Blue Knights Virginia V, the Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police No. 8, and a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. He regularly attended Springbranch Community Church in Virginia Beach. A licensed pilot since the age of 16, Steve flew for the Civil Air Patrol for many years. He eventually obtained his commercial license. He owned and operated the Teterboro Aero Charter Services. During his later years in California, Steve owned and operated a motorcycle escort service, mostly for funeral processions and enjoyed working traffic control for the many movie studios in Southern California. He is survived by the love of his life, Patricia Hendrix, at home; three daughters, Merrily Lynch and husband Phillip of Cochecton, N.Y., Amy Marks of Newark, Del., Michelle Griffith and husband John of Cochranville, Pa.; two sisters; Re Marks of Springfield, N.J. and Julie Allen and husband Don of Roscoe, N.Y.; grandchildren, JD Griffith, Kira Griffith, Stephanie Lynch and Thomas Lynch; nieces and nephews, Jillian Marks, Laurie Allen-Kuehn and husband Perry, Michael Allen and wife Kori; great- nieces and -nephew, Elizabeth Kuehn, Taylor Allen and Caden Allen. Survivors also include his extended family, Chris Hendrix, his wife Lori and their three children, Coral, Merrick and Kai of Virginia Beach and Sonny Hendrix, his wife Julee and their four children, Royal, Gracee, Reed and Jack of Vero Beach, Fla., and many wonderful longtime friends. He will also be missed by his two favorite retrievers, Callie and Rusty and two cats, Harley and Mr. Monte. A 6 p.m. viewing, followed by a 7 p.m. memorial service will be held at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, on Wednesday. Pastor Rick Eschenburg will officiate. On Saturday, there will be a 1 p.m. viewing and a 2 p.m. service at the Harris Funeral Home on Railroad Avenue in Roscoe, N.Y. Dr. Richard Dunn will officiate. Burial will follow at the Beaverkill Cemetery, Roscoe. Condolences may be made to the family at www.altmeyer.com.