Mark S. Schuster

1956 – 2021

Mark S. Schuster, 65, of North Brunswick, NJ and formerly of Rome, NY, passed away unexpectedly on November 18, 2021, at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

He was born in Rome, NY, on November 13, 1956, son of the late William and Sue Messineo Schuster.

Mark graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He went on to graduate school at the University of New Hampshire and the University of Iowa, where he began his teaching career. After graduate school, Mark began his career in the field of higher education. Through the years, he worked at The New School-Parsons School of Design, SUNY Stony Brook, New York University and Rutgers University. Mark also worked at a start-up software company for a short period of time.

Mark found his niche at Rutgers University, where he worked for over 30 years. At the time of his death, Mark was the inaugural Dean of Graduate Student Life. He was a fierce advocate for undergraduate and graduate students, ensuring that they were supported and had a positive student experience. Mark was also a champion of LGBTQ+ Community at the University. He established the LGBTQ+ Community Student Emergency Fund at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Mark was instrumental in creating Project Civility, a two year initiative that fostered tolerance and respectful discussion among faculty, staff and students. He was instrumental in establishing student support initiatives. He encouraged his students to think outside the box and to make a difference in the world. Mark was a beloved teacher, mentor and friend.

Mark is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Tony Mariano, of Northfield, VT; brother, Robert Schuster, of Rome, NY; nephew and niece, Thomas and Melissa Mariano; and great-niece and great-nephew, Maggie and Tucker Mariano, all of New Hartford, NY; loving aunts, uncles and cousins; "adopted" sister, Laura Marchese and family; "adopted" brother, Paul Nocera; and his New Jersey, Rutgers and Provincetown families and beloved students.

Mark was predeceased by his beloved parents, Sue and Bill; and brothers, Bill and Kevin.

The family wishes to thank all of Mark's friends who were there for him during his illness, especially Laura Marchese, Paul Nocera, Barry Qualls, Geralyn Colvil and Elizabeth Burdick-Romero.

A Committal Service will take place at St. John the Baptist Cemetery on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., where relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rutgers University Foundation-LGBTQ+ Community Student Emergency Fund, Rutgers University Foundation, Dept. of Donor Relations, 335 George Street, Suite 4000, Liberty Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, NY 13440. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.