Dr. Peter A. Marks

Dr. Peter A. Marks
April 12, 2022
Dr. Peter A. Marks, a beloved husband, father and brother, died on Tuesday, April 12, at his home in Guilford, CT. He was 60. Peter personified humility, kindness, generosity, fun, and a quiet wisdom that was always expressed without pretense.
Peter's life reflected decades of dedication to his family, friends, patients and community. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a BA in History and from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, completing his residency in 1998 at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Peter was a respected ophthalmologist and partner at the Eye Center of Southern Connecticut, later to become Refocus Eye Care. He began his medical career as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. He would go on to become a Navy Diver and serve as an Undersea Medical Officer for a submarine squadron based at the Groton Naval Base in Groton, CT, overseeing the primary medical care of officers and enlisted sailors. After a decade of military service, Lieutenant Commander Marks accepted an offer to enter the private sector and moved to Guilford with his family.
Over the past 21 years, Peter built a robust clinical and surgical practice. He loved his patients and respected and valued his staff. He also trained ophthalmology residents at Yale School of Medicine.
Peter grew up in Reading, Massachusetts, and Mahopac, New York. The highlight of his youth was the many summers he spent as a camper, and later a counselor and Unit Director, at Incarnation Camp in Ivoryton, CT. There he met many of his lifelong friends and the love of his life, Jenifer McShane.
He would later tell his boys that one of his favorite things in the world was to play basketball and promptly jump in the lake at camp. The annual camp reunion was always his favorite weekend of the year, spending time with his family and friends.
Peter and Jenifer were married on September 21, 1991, in St. Cornelius chapel on Governor's Island in New York Harbor. They eventually established roots in Guilford where they and their sons became active members of the community. He loved the shoreline and spent many joyful hours walking his loyal canine companions, Henry and then Finn, at Hammonasset and the East River Preserve. Peter was a devoted and loving father to Owen and James and instilled in them his respect for community and public service. Over the years he coached little league baseball and recreation league basketball teams. Owen and James were the light of his life.
Peter was the son of the late Rev. Peter Marks and Dr. Ella Graham Massie Marks. He is survived by his wife, Jenifer McShane and sons Owen and James and sisters Viola (Matthew Kelly), Alexandra (Martin Sheridan) and Susan (Linda Purdy). Peter is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jamie McShane (Taina McShane) and nieces and nephew, Jack, Monica and Ellie McShane as well as an extended family and a large circle of friends. All will miss his quiet steadfastness and compassion.
There will be a service for Peter Marks on April 30th at 11 am at Christ Episcopal Church on the Guilford Green, 11 Park St., Guilford, CT 06437. In lieu of flowers, a donation toward a memorial camp scholarship established in Peter's name at Incarnation Camp can be made. Gifts may be sent to the Executive Director at Incarnation Camp & Conference Center, P.O. Box 577, Ivoryton, CT 06417. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com