MARK EPSTEIN

EPSTEIN--Mark Sanford.

April 2, 1957 - April 8, 2018. Proud father, passionate environmentalist and ever-curious world traveler Mark Sanford Epstein, died on April 8, 2018 from cancer. Mark is survived by his children, Alexandra, age 23, a consultant at Booz Allen, and Dashell, age 19, a freshman at Occidental College and scratch golfer. Mark devoted his professional career to environmental and social causes after obtaining a JD degree from New York University Law School and graduating Phi Beta Kappa from The University of Pennsylvania. Mark fought to save the rainforest, coral reefs, penguins and the world's oceans. He served in executive roles, including the role of founder and on the board of directors at many environmental groups, including The Coral Reef Alliance, The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), Oceanites, American Rivers, Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Environmental Defense Fund, The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, the Oregon Natural Resources Council and the Tahirih Justice Center. In 1990, Mark was a candidate for U.S. Congress in the 5th Congressional District, Nassau County, Long Island, New York, where he grew up. Mark was deeply inspired by Representative Allard K. Lowenstein, who held the office during Mark's formative years. While passionate about all his work on behalf of the environment, Mark above all cherished Ali and Dash, his family and the many, many friends he made and kept from elementary school to law school, his poker group and weekly basketball game, his neighborhood, and the schools, synagogues, teams and activities his children attended or participated in. Mark was also a certified dive master, a barbeque aficionado, and loved music from the 1960s, '70s and '80s. In addition his children, Mark is survived by his mother, Elissa Epstein of New York City, his sisters Jill Steele of Aspen, Colorado, Debra Epstein of Los Angeles, and nephews Cliff and Luke White, and Hunter and Griffin Owens. There was never a minute in the day that Mark did not think about Ali and Dash. He was enormously proud of them at every step of life and was a deeply engaged and attentive father. A Celebration of Mark's life will be held at a later date. Contributions in Mark's memory may be directed to The Antartic and Southern Oceans Coalition (ASOC), Oceanites or the environmental charity of your choice. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care, Rockville MD.