Mark David Waxenberg

Mark David Waxenberg, 77, of South Windsor, beloved husband of Mary Valente Waxenberg, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday after a long battle with Myelofibrosis.
He was born in Hartford, CT, son of the late Mooris and Tilly Waxenberg, on July 19, 1947. Mark was an avid athlete, excelling in basketball, baseball, and football at an early age. During his tenure at Bulkeley High School, he made the All-State team multiple years and was eventually given an offer to play Division I baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mark graduated from Central Connecticut State University. He started his career at Sunset Ridge School in East Hartford teaching mathematics, where he met his future wife, Mary, who taught music. As Stephen Sondheim famously wrote, "Math and Music are intimately related", and Mark & Mary got married the following the year in 1971.
Mark's dedication to his career spanned nearly five decades in and outside of the classroom. He became the President of the East Hartford Teacher's Association, and after 24 years in East Hartford he moved on to become Treasurer of the Connecticut Education Association, which is the state's largest teachers' union. After his role as Treasurer, he served as CEA President from 1988 to 1992, Chief of Policy for Governor Lowell Weicker until 1995, Director of Government Relations for the CEA until 2010, and Executive Director of the CEA from 2012 to 2017. It was with pride, admiration, respect, love, and privilege, Mark was awarded the Mark D. Waxenberg Lifetime Achievement Award shortly before retiring in 2017. It was the first of its kind. He was a true champion for public education with extensive political and educational knowledge. His leadership was instrumental in securing policies that enhanced public education in Connecticut. Among his many achievements, Mark led the Keep the Promise campaign, ensuring long-term security for teachers' hard-earned pensions. He was a vocal advocate for children and teachers across the state, along with increasing community engagement in schools.
His legacy is embedded in CEA's history, and he played a pivotal role in creating CEA's Hartford office, where the lobby bears his name.
As his son writing this article, I can honestly say my father was a one-of-a-kind role model I hope everyone can aspire to be. I am eternally grateful and honored to call him my father. I love you Dad, and I'll miss you dearly every single day.
Mark is survived by his wife, Mary, his beloved son, Christopher, and his wife, Nicole, and his four grandchildren: Mia, Avalene, Brinley, and Jacob. He also leaves his niece Deanna Geraghty-Meehan, whom he was like a father to.
His family will receive friends for call hours Tuesday, December 10th from 11AM – 1PM, at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor.
Family and friends may attend Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM at Saint Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Road in South Windsor. Burial will follow at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mark's memory can be made to the MPN Research Foundation, PO Box 2690, Carol Stream, IL 60132.