Dr. Mark B. Blankfield

Blankfield, Dr. Mark B., 55, died on January 4, 2005 of natural causes in his Boca Raton residence. Dr. Blankfield was laid to rest in Wellwood Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York (the resting site of his father, Jacob Blankfield) on January 7, 2005. "Dr. Mark", as he was known to many, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Blankfield received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Science Education from Hunter College and taught kindergarten through sixth grade for six and a half years. While completing the requirements towards his principal's license, Dr. Blankfield found his true calling through a cousin's husband, a Podiatrist. Ever the avid learner and compassionate soul, Dr. Blankfield enrolled in the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. After briefly working in the Bronx, Dr. Blankfield moved his family to South Florida where he practiced for 20 years. "Dr. Mark" was a caring man who did not know the definition of "office hours"; he would arrive at his office as early, and stay as late, as his patients (most of whom became his dear friends) desired. Dr. Blankfield's hobbies varied greatly, from his interests in Wall Street to enjoying Florida State University football and baseball games. Dr. Blankfield is survived by "his girls"-wife Cecily (Cindy) and daughter Julie Blankfield. He is additionally missed by his mother Bella Blankfield of New York and his sister Debra Pukel and nephews Matthew and Jason Pukel of New Jersey; as well as his in-laws, all of whom he considered his true brothers and sisters: Rosalie and Jerry Cohn of Boca Raton, Francesca Engler of Palm Beach and Eric Engler of Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made on Mark's behalf to the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County to aid the victims of the tsunami. If you wish to contribute to the fund, please make checks payable to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and send to: Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Attn: "Disaster Relief", 4601 Community Dr., W. Palm Beach, FL 33417.