Mark Warren Vlasek

1949 - 2024

Mark Warren Vlasek

August 19, 1949 - October 18, 2024

Mark Warren Vlasek, bon August 19, 1949 in Chicago, IL to William and Mary Vlasek, transitioned to his Next Great Adventure on October 18, 2024, on his beloved back porch, in Delray Beach, FL, surrounded by the Love of his family, friends, and nature.

His legacy continues through his beloved wife: Gail Nardiello Vlasek, his two sons: Robert Brett Vlasek (Stephanie) & William Vance Vlasek (Patrick), his granddaughter: Charlotte Jeanne Vlasek, his three siblings Bill, MaryAnn, and Diane, his dear friends, and his entourage of nieces, nephews, and protégés.

A born athlete and trailblazer, Mark cut his teeth playing sports south of Chicago with anyone who would compete, regardless of race, color, or creed...groundbreaking in the 1950s and 60s. He continued his love of sport playing basketball at Florida Atlantic University, a lifetime of recreational games, and coaching multiple teams at Boca Raton Middle School and his own children's leagues. He was a teacher both professionally and personally, giving grounded guidance, attention and Love to anyone under his wings. He lived Love. He gave it freely. He taught it through example. His life was a master class in following your intuition and living in Love.

As a young man he worked the steel mills in the mid-west as his father did. He realized that this predestined path was not for him. He took an eye opening pilgrimage out West with his friends, living and working in Colorado then California, experiencing the world outside of Lansing. Afterwards, he returned to llinois briefly with fresh eyes, then quickly moved to Florida, a state that better suited his tastes and that was more aligned with how he wanted to live. Many of his loved ones followed to share in this tropical paradise. He earned a degree in education at Florida Atlantic University and went on to teach Physical Education at Boca Raton Middle School. There he met the math teacher/model who would become the Love of his Life, Gail. Their romance bloomed through adventures, honesty, shared values, play, and devotion. They were wed in the summer of 1982. Their love manifested as their two sons, Brett and Vance. Mark wanted to provide as best he could for his growing family so he transitioned to a career in Real Estate. In this new vocation he provided people with a sense of grounded safety, as he did through teaching, but in a new way that provided more security for those he loved most. He eventually founded his own real estate brokerage and earned great success through hard work and sacrifice, all while maintaining a devotion to his family life. He always showed up for his sons and wife. Always. He is their hero.

Later in life, after retiing, he suffered through multiple spinal surgeries and chronic back pain. He had to give up his beloved athletics and live a more mellow life. Even through his intense pain his joyful spirit blazed on. The playfulness that once existed in his body doubled in his mind. Always there with a joke. Mark was a great source of laughter, strength, and support for many. He touched their hearts and minds by living unapologetically in his authentic ways. His timeless spirt of joy, play, mischief, camaraderie supportiveness, care, freedom, friendliness, and Love live on through those privileged enough to experience them. He left a great good in this world which will continue for generations to come. He will be wildly missed, highly celebrated, and never forgotten.

Please honor him by living in Freedom, Truth, and Love.