Mark David Sanyour

Mark David Sanyour, 68, of West Chester, PA, beloved husband of Joyce H. Sanyour, and devoted father of Matthew O. Sanyour, passed away peacefully at Chester County Hospital on Jan. 26. He was a lifelong reader with a love of books, a keen mind, and an infectious, unmistakable laugh always accompanied by a twinkle in his hazel green eyes. The steady cornerstone of his family, he will be sorely missed.

Born Feb. 9, 1957, in Somerville, MA, to Michael L. Sanyour, Jr. and Therese Marie Sanyour (née McCarthy), he was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jennifer, and is survived by his wife, Joyce, his son, Matthew, and four siblings: M. Jeffrey Sanyour, Florence Zelinka, Norman Sanyour, and Ned Sanyour. During childhood, he relocated to rejoin the extended family in greater Philadelphia, which Mark always regarded as his hometown. He remained a tireless Philadelphia sports fan. Embracing wide interests, Mark was an avid athlete (football, wrestling, boxing), a singer of madrigals, and a young scientist inspired by "Watch Mr. Wizard," the 1964 New York World's Fair, and the moon landing. He graduated from Moorestown High in 1975 and from Rutgers with a bachelor's in biology in 1979. Mark concluded his studies at Harvard, attaining his MBA in 1986.

Mark sustained a lifelong fascination with life sciences and devoted his work in pharmaceuticals to the control, reduction, and eradication of infectious disease through vaccination. His career at Merck & Co spanned 27 years, where he met his future wife, Joyce Hackett, a fellow biologist. He shared his Catholic faith with Joyce through OCIA, and they married in 1987. Their son, Matthew, was born a year later. In addition to his home parish of St. Agnes in West Chester, he nurtured a cherished bond with Old St. Joseph's in Philadelphia. Mark later joined Joyce in the field of biotech and patent law, becoming a registered Patent Agent and founder of Sanyour Consulting, LLC.

His greatest passion was his family. He adored his wife, Joyce, the great love of his life. A devoted father and a natural storyteller with a phenomenal memory and a talent for vocal impressions, Mark was a wellspring of wisdom and love for his son, Matthew. He faithfully attended every event in his son's life, never missing a single football game, wrestling match, or tournament. He was a "happy warrior" through challenging times whose unflappable resolve buoyed friends, teammates, and colleagues. His sudden absence is keenly felt by all who knew him, but none more than his beloved Joyce.

A Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul on March 7 at 1:00 p.m., St. Agnes, 233 W. Gay St, West Chester, PA. Confessions may be heard at 12:30, before Mass. Luncheon at Milestone Events, 600 E. Market. Interment to be held privately at Oaklands Cemetery, West Chester, PA.