Dr. Mark G. Toncini

1955 - 2016

Dr. Mark Gerard Toncini, 61, of Vandergrift, passed away Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at UPMC St. Margaret, surrounded by his loving family. Born Sept. 20, 1955, in Latrobe, he was a son of Geraldine (Martier) Toncini, of Vandergrift, and the late John Toncini. He was a graduate of Kiski Area High School and drum major of their nationally acclaimed Big K Marching Band. He completed his bachelor's degree in biology at Gannon University, after a year at Washington and Jefferson, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He then continued on to Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1980. Eventually, he returned to Seton Hill University to earn his teaching degree in biology, chemistry and physics. Mark was a dentist in Sarver and Vandergrift for roughly 20 years. He later taught high school science and "retired" as a part time dentist in Pittsburgh. He served many years as a school board member at Freeport Area School District and was active in the Sons of Italy, both locally and statewide. He will be remembered for his loud laugh, his love of food and wine, his readiness with a joke and his unveiled pride in his children and grandchildren. His best days were spent on the beach with the children in his life, with friends sampling far too much Chianti and charcuterie and anywhere he could pretend he, too, was a child again. Dr. Toncini is survived by his mother; daughter, Devon (Christopher) Vorse, of Freeport; sons, Adam (Melissa) Toncini, of Leechburg, and Blaec (Zari) Toncini, of Lancaster; six adored grandchildren, Avery, Isaac, Elijah and Oscar Vorse, Elisa Toncini and Harper Toncini; two sisters, Rosemarie Douglas and Nancy Gibson; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; aunt, Lenora Martier; paternal grandparents, Teresio and Caterina Toncini; and maternal grandparents, Guirino and Rose (Troiano) Martier.
Visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, in the CURRAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 300 Market St. Leechburg. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church, 303 Franklin Ave., Vandergrift, with celebrant Father James Loew, OSB. Everyone please meet at the church. Private burial will be in the Toncini section of St. Catherine Cemetery, Gilpin Township.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions may be made in Mark's memory to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. www.hipdysplasia.org. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.