Mark Murzin

1954 - 2018

Mark A. Murzin
March 30, 1954 - Dec. 31, 2018
Mark "Murry" Murzin, 64, passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Bend, Oregon on the final day of the tax year, with his loving wife, Kris, at his side.
Mark was a "mensch" in the truest sense of the word – helpful, considerate, generous (to people and causes), kind, and giving. He touched so many lives in a positive way as a trusted advisor to his clients and friends. He always tried to do the best possible job for everyone. Even in his waning days, he made such an effort to give comfort to all those who cared about him.
Mark was a superlative example of how to live and die with grace and dignity. His 27 month struggle with pancreatic cancer and its treatment is described in his CaringBridge website in a candid and inspirational way: https://www.caringbridge.org/public/markmurzin
Mark was born in Shirley, MA and lived most of his life in Connecticut. He spent his formative years in Trumbull, CT and was proud to have had lifelong friendships with other members of the "Plumtree Lane Gang". He moved to Bend, Oregon in 1999, where he enjoyed all the outdoor recreation in the area. He loved running, camping, hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and playing golf.
Mark graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1976 and became a CPA, working at mid-sized accounting firms in Connecticut and Colorado until he formed his own firm Murzin Paquette & Company with his close friend, David Paquette, in 1993. Mark earned a Masters in Taxation from the University of Denver in 1984 and was a top-notch tax, estate and retirement consultant during his 40 year career. He formed his own company, Mark A. Murzin, CPA when he moved to Bend almost 20 years ago.
Mark loved to travel. He spent 6 months in 1979 on the roads of North America, camping with Kris in their Chevy van. Some of his favorite foreign destinations were: Raja Ampat, Indonesia; French Polynesia; the Galapagos Islands and Amazonian jungle of Ecuador; Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; and Scotland. Highlights of his more recent U.S. travels were rafting through the Grand Canyon and exploring Alaska's Inside Passage on an expedition cruise.
Mark was also the ultimate sports fan, especially of his beloved New York Yankees.
Mark is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Krista Knoernschild; his brother, Howie Murzin; cousin Allan Miller; in-laws: Mark Knoernschild and wife Jane Bartosik; and Kurt Knoernschild and wife Sally Nogg.
While all who meant so much to Mark are too many to name, special appreciation goes out to: David Menegus, Kevin Kupec, David Paquette, Jack Lutz, Alison Smith, Steve Axelrod, Eliot Gersten, Rick Loomis, Gail and Dick Grauer, Betty and David Faller, Penny Fristrom, and Patty Giffin.
Special thanks from the family to the caregivers at St. Charles Cancer Center and Partners in Care of Bend. Memorial donations to honor Mark can be made to Seacology (www.seacology.org), Partners in Care (www.partnersbend.org) or CaringBridge (as a tribute on Mark's web site).
Memorial services will be held in Bend, OR on March 2, 2019 and in Newtown, CT on March 30, 2019. Details will be forthcoming on CaringBridge.