Mark Wesley Cuny

CUNY, Mark Wesley 53, passed away on December 5th, 2014. He was born in Montana to Ted and Evelyn Cuny. His father was an Air Force officer, so Mark grew up in Montana, Louisiana, Thailand, and Nebraska, graduating from Papillion High School in Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska and University of Houston. Mark and Patrick Novak moved to Sacramento in 1989. Mark is survived by his spouse and best friend of 28 years, Patrick; sister, Donna Cuny, of Houston, Texas; and many aunts, uncles and cousins in Louisiana. Mark was preceded in death by his father and mother. Mark enjoyed a career in the food industry as a bartender and waiter, serving patrons at a variety of local establishments, including The Waterboy on Capital Avenue and the Califomia Cafe in Arden Fair Mall. He also dabbled in the mortgage industry for several years. His passion was the arts, specializing in the creation of Iife-size caricature cut-outs for displays. His art has been featured in displays in Sacramento and Roseville, as well as in Maine, Nebraska, Texas, Louisiana, Colorado and Virginia. His handiwork was taken to new levels in the Elmhurst neighborhood in East Sacramento as his and Patrick's home provided the impetus to turn a neighborhood into a Celebration of Lights every holiday season. Featured on KOVR weather reports with Dave Bender once a year, the neighborhood is the destination for local residents looking for an evening enjoying holiday light displays. Mark's legacy is the joy he brought to all those around him. He was as personable as his Labrador Retrievers (Morgan and Raven - black labs; Aspen - yellow lab), and included many persons in his family circle. The Cuny-Novak home was the center of many neighborhood gatherings, holiday parties, or just an open door to stop by and say "hey!" Mark was an avid reader, collected a variety of art pieces, loved to prepare gourmet meals, and was a connoisseur of wine. Mark's favorite saying was, "I love you as big as the sky." His heart and generosity was just as big. A celebration of life is planned for mid-January in California.