Mark Anthony Sain

Mark Anthony Sain was born to the union of Joe and Marjorie Irene (Finley) Sain in Milwaukee, WI, on August 26, 1959 – making him the youngest of the Sain Siblings (Belinda Jo, Jean Marie, Ronald and David). Mark was an energetic child with a great love for cars and sports. He once played so hard with his cars that his mother found him asleep in the front yard, holding his favorite car in his hand.
Growing up in 53206, Mark attended Milwaukee Public Schools (20th Street, Auer Avenue, Peckham, and Wilbur Wright), ultimately graduating from what he called "THE Washington High School" in 1977, where he excelled in basketball and football, earning him the nickname "Mark the Spark." He was a true Purgolder-fondly known for zipping around the campus in his trusty Scirocco. It is here he would forge his brother/friends of a lifetime: John Jenkins (best friend), Ron Williamson, and Kelvin Balton.
Following graduation, Mark earned a football scholarship and attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, where he quickly learned – Iowa isn't for everyone. During this time Mark sustained an injury to his finger, preventing him from playing football, but giving him plenty of time to contemplate his future. His answer came in the form of a call for firefighters for the City of Milwaukee.
Mark became a Milwaukee firefighter on May 12, 1980; however, his career with the Milwaukee Fire Department might have never happened if it had not been for the valiant efforts of the Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters. At the time, Black firefighters constituted only 1% of Milwaukee's firefighting force, with none in management or administrative positions. The Brotherhood successfully sued the City of Milwaukee in 1974 for engaging in employment practices that intentionally resulted in unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees based on their race, gender, or national origin. This groundbreaking effort helped pave the way for Mark and other firefighters of color and women to rise into the higher ranks of the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Another chapter in his life began to blossom even brighter when GOD blessed Mark with two beautiful daughters - Mehgan Ashley and Marcel Andre-the loves of his life. He enjoyed spending time with them-biking, sledding, swimming, and traveling, and he wore his title of "Dad" very proudly, often seen selling Girl Scout cookies on their behalf. One of his greatest joys was when he gave their hands in marriage to sons-in-laws Joey Iwinski (Mehgan) and Michael Spanbauer (Marcel) whom he loved very dearly.
One day while traveling, a friend asked Mark about his future with the fire department. He had been a firefighter for almost 10 years. Mark responded, "I like being a firefighter," to which his friend inquired, "Is there anything else?" This question became the catalyst for the career Mark's firefighting career - one that included leadership and management.
In 1990, Mark became a heavy equipment operator, responsible for driving firefighters safely to fire scenes and medical emergencies. In 1992, he was promoted to Fire Lieutenant and assumed responsibility of Director of Fire Education, coordinating, implementing, and presenting all City of Milwaukee fire education programs and training, including special events for Milwaukee Public Schools. He was selected from a pool of 137 lieutenants for this assignment. In 1995 he received the City of Milwaukee's first "City Innovation Award" for creating the "FOCUS" (Firefighters Out Creating Urban Safety) smoke detector installation program.
Love also came calling when, through a "blind date" set up by friends Bobbie and Kim Webber, Mark met Charlotte Cannon. However, after Mark and Charlotte's initial meeting, Mark forgot her name, and Bobbie refused to tell him. After many attempts to remember her name, Mark finally said to Bobbie, "I may not remember her name, but I remember it began with a 'C,' so he began calling her 'C,' giving Charlotte a nickname that only he, Kim, and Bobbie would ever call her. Two years later, on October 16, 1993, she would become his bride, and his blended family now included Charlotte and her daughters, Shayla and Martina. With five women in the house, he was officially a girl dad without a man cave and as a wedding gift he sold his beloved BMW motorcycle to buy Charlotte her dream car – a Volvo 780 Turbo.
Following the loss of one of his dear friends, and fellow firefighters Lionel Hoffer in a house fire, Mark recognized that the City of Milwaukee lacked a formal process to acknowledge and memorialize firefighters who had made the ultimate sacrifice. In response, he formed a committee and as Chairman of the Fallen Firefighters Committee, in October 1996, the Fallen Firefighter Memorial- "The Last Alarm," was unveiled and dedicated at MFD Headquarters, Fire Station #2. Created by renowned fire artist Robert Daus, it was then engraved with the names of 106 Milwaukee firefighters who had died in the line of duty, an October tradition that continues today.
Mark became a Fire Captain in 1999, was appointed to the Milwaukee Fire Department Training Academy, responsible for recruitment, special teams, and fire education training. He developed MFD's Diversity Training Program Phases II & III, the "Train the Trainer" program, and raised over $40,000 to purchase the department's first thermal imaging camera. He also helped other fire departments like the City of Philadelphia, City of Beloit and City of Louisville to conduct oral and written promotional examinations.
In January 2002, Mark was promoted to Battalion Chief and graduated from the prestigious Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute for Chief Officers at Dillard University, New Orleans, LA. An institution founded in 1991 by retired Assistant Chief Carl Holmes, the first Black Assistant Chief in Oklahoma City. The Institute sought to elevate minority firefighters through hands-on leadership, management training, and national networking.
Mark was certified as an Arson Investigator, completed the National Fire Service Staff and Command curriculum at the University of Maryland, and became a certified Mediator, assisting Marquette University in mediating small claims cases with the Kenosha County Court System.
Before the end of 2002, he would later receive a phone call that would change his life forever – newly appointed Milwaukee Fire Chief William (Bill) Wentlandt selected him to serve as his Assistant Chief. As the Assistant Chief, Mark provided leadership to the Milwaukee Fire Department's 1,100 members. He managed an annual budget of $92 million and supervised six bureaus - Administration, Communications, Training, Emergency Medical Services/Special Operations, Equipment Repair/Maintenance, and Firefighting. He became only the second African American in the Milwaukee Fire Department's then 130-year history to hold the position of Assistant Chief. His good friend, Mike Payne, said at the time, "I bet everyone in Milwaukee can remember where they were when they heard Mark Sain had become the new Assistant Chief. He was appointed a member of the Safety Commission in 2003, received the 2004 Milwaukee Times Black Excellence award and would later retire on national TV on the Today Show in 2008. He rewarded himself for his 28 years of service by purchasing HIS dream car – a Porsche Boxster and refusing to wear a watch for two years.
Mark remained an active member of the community after retirement, working with the Helen Bader Foundation's Homework First Program at Phillis Wheatley School. He tutored MPS high school students in reading comprehension and served on the advisory boards of Make a Difference Milwaukee and a member of the Blood Center of Southeast Wisconsin's (now Versiti) Blood Donation advisory council. A blood donor since high school, he would later need this valuable resource in his own fight against cancer.
While serving the community as a volunteer, in multiple capacities, he continued to feel the burning desire to do more to help the children and families of Milwaukee. So, in 2011 he ran for the MPS School Board and was elected to serve District 1. His service on the Board would become a two-term, eight-year commitment, with the final three years serving as MPS Board Chair. He championed initiatives to assist students with special needs in career training programs and the employers who supported them. He and his colleagues also voted to establish an MPS Charter School, Green Tree Preparatory Academy (GPA), serving 6th through 12th graders and focusing on College Prep, Law, Business, and STEM. After stepping down from the school board, he later served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Board for GPA until 2025.
This commitment to MPS along with his accomplishments on the fire department, earned Mark a "Hall of Fame" award from "THE Washington High School" in 2014 along with fellow Purgolders: Christopher Gardner (Pursuit of Happiness), Dr. Glen Barbaras (the Manhattan Project atomic bomb researcher) and Alyce Gilbert (a Tony award winner) – to which his grandson Cedric who was only 12 at the time said "Grandpa, why are YOU here? Today, he fully understands now why his grandpa was there.
In 2011, he was also appointed as a Trustee of the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL). A devotee of education and libraries, his thoughtful leadership guided MPL through many innovations. As Building & Development Committee Chair, he championed the transformation of MPL libraries, including the redevelopment/renovation of Villard Square, East, Tippecanoe, Mitchell Street, Good Hope, and, most recently, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, as well as renovations and innovations within the historic Central Library. He also helped lead changes in the library's services, from the introduction of Wi-Fi, eBooks, and self-service check-out to the addition of sorting machines, maker spaces, and virtual programming. Mark served as MPL Board President from 2022 to 2025. In 2018, he was appointed as a citizen member of MPL by Mayor Barrett and reappointed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson in 2024.
Mark's other passions included serving on the boards of Secured Futures and Arts at Large, and, most recently, helping to start the Milwaukee Reading Coalition with Dr. Howard Fuller and JoAnne Anton, an initiative to provide high-quality training and a new curriculum for teachers in early grades. He was also a member of many social and business clubs, including Men on the Move (Investment Club), the BBC (cigar club) or as the wives fondly called it the "do nothing" club, SMGs (Saturday Morning Golf), and Jimmy Jam Slam.
Even with all these activities and commitments, Mark still made time to have fun with his family and friends. He and Charlotte traveled often. Mark would joking say "Now that these girls are out of the house, we got some money left". He loved music-especially Chaka Khan and Marcus Miller, traveling, cooking, hosting the Sain day-after-Thanksgiving feast for their family and friends, his meat smoker and barbeque grills, holding cooking competitions with his uncles and friends, and preparing those wonderful hot, buttery biscuits at the New Testament men's breakfast, along with his famous buttermilk pies at the flock gathering.
Mark was also a competitive tennis player for many years (until his and John's knees gave out) and even aspired to be a line judge, but then he found his true passion – Golf, and Adidas became his middle name. Mark was a true fashionista, especially on the golf course, and made it a point never to wear the same combination twice. When Adidas and Porsche merged to create driving and golf shoes, he was in heaven! Being modest, Mark would often tell those who complimented his wardrobe that his wife dressed him – this was never true!
Mark loved, loved, loved being a grandfather, and GOD blessed him and Charlotte with ten grandchildren to keep him busy (Cedric Jr., Josiah, Micah, Lawrence, Adrian, George, Isabella, Elias, Charles, and Gabriel). Sleepovers were a big hit at Paw Paw/Grandpa's House, as were movies with popcorn, video games, UNO attack, dominoes, cheeseburgers and fries with root beer floats, make your own pizzas, followed the next day by Grandma Charlotte's Martha Stewart waffles with bacon, tons of butter and syrup. Mark introduced his grandchildren to sports, like basketball, golf and tennis and made sure that all of them could swim. He attended their concerts and plays, taught them how to tie bow ties and ties, bake cakes, cut beards (his) and grass- where they could make a little bit of money and most importantly, he set aside time to encourage each of them to read for enjoyment. He had a special bond with each of them, making each one feel as though they were his only grandchild.
Mark Sain was a "good man", a man of principles and a man of GOD. He embraced his relationship with the Lord every day of his life and recommitted his life to the Lord in 2003, was baptized by Pastor Julius R Malone and he and his bride became members of New Testament Church. Whether running into burning buildings or fighting his 8-year battle with cancer, Mark trusted the Lord and knew HE would always be with him. TO GOD BE THE GLORY OF A LIFE WELL LIVED.
Mark Anthony Sain was born into eternal life on November 2, 2025, at 1:01 am at his home with his bride by his side. He is preceded in death by his mother, Majorie Irene Sain; father, Joe Sain; Brothers, Michael and David Sain; father-in-law, Ted Turner; nephew, Jayden Cronin; special cousin, Hattye Yarbrough; and uncle, James A. Anderson.
To carry on his legacy and memory, are his bride of 32 years, Charlotte, daughters Mehgan (Joey) Iwinski, Marcel (Michael) Stanbauer, Shayla Lue-Hing and Martina Westmoreland, sisters Belinda Jo (John) Cronin and Jean Marie Sain (his second mother), brother Ronald Sain Sr., nephews Jaime (Kyami) Cronin, Jamal Cronin, Ronald (Chantel) Sain Jr., and Daylon Sain, Ten grandchildren: Josiah, Micah, Adrian and Isabella Iwinski, Elias and Gabriel Stanbauer, Cedric Welch, Jr., Lawrence McAfee, George and Charles Rave, mother in-law Mattie Cannon, sister-in-law Sherrie McElvain, brothers in-law Oscar (Denise) Cannon, James (Sophelia) Cannon, and Kevin (Patty) Hubbard and special mom, Michelle Turner of Laurel, Maryland and a host of many family members and friends.
Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53072, on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. An additional visitation will be held at New Testament Church, 10201 West Bradley Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224, on November 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM followed by the funeral service.
2 Timothy 4:7
"As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to GOD. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of his return, And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing."
Acknowledgements
The Sain Family would like to extend a very special thank you to John Jenkins, Mehgan Iwinski, Jaime Cronin, Martina Westmoreland, Michael Payne, Mike and Anne Marie Hinkle, Sherrie McElvain, Kimberley Ramsey, Trilise Evans and the Evans Family, Pastor Julius R. Malone & the New Testament Church, Ron and Chantell Sain, Carolyn and Mark Lawrence (Flock 1), Dr Alonzo and Linda Walker, Minister Deborah Crawford, Sheila and Jonathan Jackson, Betty Allen (repast) Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Fire Department Honor Guard, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Public Library, Marnele Billups (obituary), Benito and Shirley Leatherwood-Garrett, Dr. Debbie Lassiter (gift of music and song), Welke's House of Roses and Noah Krause Funeral Home.
Special Acknowledgement – Jean Marie Sain
A very special thank you to our sister, Jean Marie Sain. Thank you so much for being there for your brother (your baby), my husband Mark. Your presence during this very difficult time brought him so much joy. The old school love you brought to him in the form of your mother's blanket, cool drinks of sage water and the Vicks vapor rub leg massages gave him unbelievable comfort – Mark loved you so much and so do I.
Thank You
The Sain Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the love, support and condolences received from our family, friends and community during this time of loss. Your kind words, food deliveries, and mere presence have been a source of great comfort and solace.
Special Thank you
A very special thank you to Dr. Corey Shamah, Aurora Healthcare, Dr. Kathryn Bylow and Dr. Hui-Zi Chen (Clinical Cancer Center) and the amazing staff at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Advanced Cancer and Cancer Centers.
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