Mark A. Spease

Mark Andrew Spease, 51, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, died Sunday May 9, 2021.

Born in Michigan, son of Arthur and Jacqueline Spease, he was a graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing.

From 1993 until his passing, Mark spent his professional career building Industrial Technology Research (ITR). Mark was in charge of business development and during his time, helped grow a small technology company to a leader in its industry serving customers throughout the world. In 2008, Mark became an owner of the company and continued his leadership overseeing sales and general management. As an extremely charismatic person, Mark's relationships were often strong lifelong friendships that extended well beyond business.

Mark's personal passions focused mostly on hockey, Fiddle Lake in northeastern Pennsylvania, friends, and family. He was an accomplished hockey player in his youth playing for both Union College and the University of Michigan Dearborn. In his adult years, he coached college hockey and was very active in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth as a coach and administrator, helping build the organization into what it is today. As a member of the Fiddle Lake community since his childhood, Mark enjoyed summers in the mountains with his family. He was often found playing in the yard with his dogs, fishing on the lake for hours, and enjoying family bonfires. More than anything, he was immensely proud of his children, their academic and athletic accomplishments, and the people of character they have grown to be.

Mark has often been described as a selfless and devoted friend who was so close with many people that he was considered family. Never wanting for anything, he gave himself to people and would offer and provide anything he could without expectation of return. His time with friends and family was too short. He will be missed dearly by many.

Mark is survived by wife Amy, son Andrew, and daughter Hannah, all who reside in Bethlehem; mother Jacqueline, Vonore, TN; brother Michael and wife Kathy, Gap, PA; brother Mathew, Livonia, MI. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Arthur, and brother, David.

Memorial services will be announced at a later time. In lieu of gifts, the family asks for charitable donations made to an addiction center of your choice or the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth, "In Memory of Mark Spease", PO Box 1174, Bethlehem, PA 18016. Phantoms donations will support youth hockey, the organization he loved, and a scholarship fund helping kids in need.