Harvard resident, devoted to wide circle of friends and family
Mark Bierbower. (Courtesy photo)
Mark Joseph Bierbower, 64, of Harvard, died June 24, 2021, after a hard-fought 15-month battle with cancer.
Raised in Bernardsville, New Jersey, Mark was the son of Robert G. and Mary Louise “Bobbie” (McCarthy) Bierbower. Mark graduated from Marist College in 1979, where he majored in marketing and forged friendships that continued throughout his life. In his early 20s, he beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma and always credited his recovery to the excellent care he received at Sloan Kettering.
In 1995, he married the love of his life, Margaret. Together, in Harvard, they raised a son, Sean. The three enjoyed 26 years of laughter, adventure, and genuinely enjoying one another’s company. Mark and Margaret particularly cherished their annual trip to Bermuda, the only time each year he would wear flip-flops. For many years, Mark was a fixture around town, enjoying the hours he was walked by his Airedale terriers, whom he spoiled. Mark spent the last 28 years working for Phoenix Contact, and he leaves a legacy of colleagues whom he took great pride in mentoring and in watching their careers advance.
Mark is survived by his father, Robert Bierbower, of New Jersey; wife Margaret Grogan of Harvard; stepson Sean Doocey of Washington, D.C.; brother Douglas and wife Pat of Maryland; brother Donald and wife Beth of New Jersey; sister Linda Wilk and husband Henry of Florida; sister Sharon Kupcha and husband Randy of New Jersey; brother Paul and wife Diane of Colorado; and sister Kathy Begley and husband Tim of New Hampshire. He is also survived by 15 nieces and nephews around the country from whom he derived immense joy by following their successes. He was predeceased by his mother and much-loved nephew Ryan Wilk.
There are no words that can adequately express the family’s thanks to the ICU nursing staff at Newton Wellesley Hospital who gave Mark the gift of leaving this life with compassion, dignity, and love.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks people to pick up the phone and call someone they’ve lost contact with during the pandemic.
Calling hours were held June 30 at Short & Rowe Funeral Home, Marlborough. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, July 1, at 11 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit www.shortandrowefuneralhome.com.
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