Mark Anthony Amoriello, 54, passed away on Jan. 2, 2021. Mark was born in Philadelphia, Pa., to Stephen Joseph Amoriello Jr. and Eleanor Theresa Amoriello.
Raised in South West Philly, he attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia where he played football (All Catholic Selection) and was elected student council president. Mark played football and continued his education at Catholic University in Washington, DC. After two years of college, Mark was convinced he knew enough and left school in pursuit of his next adventure. He resided for a few years in the Virginia Beach area first working in real estate and eventually moving into the spa industry where he would spend the rest of his career.
Before continuing his travels in the U.S., Mark spent a few years in Japan where he taught English, was a swimming instructor and worked as a sanitary engineer (i.e. a Japanese trash man). While abroad, Mark studied martial arts earning his 1st Dan Black Belt in Hap Ki Do, enjoyed mountain climbing and skiing.
Once back in the U.S., Mark became a sought-after expert in opening and running spas across the country. His career led him to taking up residence in places such as Baltimore, Scottsdale, the Outer Banks, Yosemite, Santa Barbara, Austin, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Taos, New Mexico and lastly in Durant, Okla. where he was a Director at the Choctaw Casino and Resort.
As a result of his frequent relocations, Mark became an accomplished mover and brought along with him everything from motorcycles to gun collections to hot tubs. Although he held a number of positions (a rolling stone gathers no moss), Mark was well-respected and loved by his colleagues everywhere he went. His parents visited him at every one of his many stops at which Mark’s colleagues and supervisors were anxious to share with his parents their fondness and high praises for their son.
While residing in many places, Mark traveled home to the Philadelphia area as much as possible to visit with his family and friends and to enjoy his mother’s cooking – some of which he was always sure to pack with him in ice when he left. Back home in Philadelphia, he spent quality time with his loved ones and without a doubt was the “crazy uncle” with whom his nieces and nephews will forever cherish their memories.
Far from Philadelphia in Durant, Mark found a wonderful woman in Brittany Springer with whom he would spend the last few years. Mark, Brittany and her children Peyton and Eli enjoyed the outdoors often going on hiking and camping trips. While on the surface different in many respects, together Mark and Brittany were a beautiful couple.
Mark did not back down to challenges and his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was no different. He endured two substantial surgeries in an effort to beat his disease which unfortunately provided no relief. Despite his severe pain, he refused medication to alleviate it until the last few weeks so that he could better describe what his cancer was doing to his doctors. The word quit was not in Mark’s vocabulary. As the end drew near, Mark found the strength and blessed those with him with final words of “I love you” which each will remember for as long as they too shall live.
Mark lived life to the fullest and everyone with whom he shared those experiences, either directly or simply through hearing about them, got to enjoy life that much more because of Mark. A true individual who danced to the beat of his own drum, Mark set an example for all to follow. His final gifts to us are the memories of him we all get to share.
Mark was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Amoriello.
Mark is survived by his parents, Stephen Joseph Amoriello Jr. and Eleanor Amoriello; fiancée, Brittany Springer and her children Peyton and Eli; brothers, Stephen Joseph Amoriello, III and his wife Christina and Eric Amoriello; nephews, William Judson Piper and his wife Marcie, Stephen Joseph Amoriello IV and his girlfriend Morgan Buswell, and Eric Daniel Amoriello and Rhys Amoriello; nieces, Elizabeth Rose Amoriello and Sophie Ann Amoriello; great-nephew, Colton Piper and great niece Caila Piper; Godmother, Madlyn Raia as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.