J. Mark DeCoste
February 10, 1925 ~ January 11, 2021
J. Mark DeCoste
Scarborough - In the early morning hours of January 11, 2021, with his wife and his son by his side, Mr. DeCoste slipped peacefully from our arms into the arms of Jesus.
On February 10, 1925, he was born in Portland, the son of the late James and Martha (Kane) DeCoste. This was a happy home, a home of strong Catholic faith. Sister Eleanor, Brother John, together with "Auntie" Molly Kane, added to that joy. Though he grew up during the Great Depression and graduated from Cheverus in 1943 in time to enter the Army during WWII, he still felt he grew up in "the best of times."
Upon the end of the war, he returned home before attending Bates College for three years. His work life was spent at S.D. Warren Paper Mill in Westbrook, in the Quality Control Department.
In that time period he met, probably at a dance, his first wife, Dolores "Wally" Bettez. They married in 1955 and settled in Westbrook, raising a family of five children: four daughters and a son. He participated fully in their lives from fun-filled days at beaches or the lake, skating in winter, attending games, and of course camera in hand. He and Wally loved to dance. After forty-three years of a happy marriage, Dolores passed away in 1998.
Sometime later he met his second wife Claire (Begin) Giuliano, also widowed, at the Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunkport. They married in 1999, and he inherited another family - a step-son Christopher, three grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He loved being with them at family get-togethers and couldn't take enough photos.
Along with his love of photography, he was an avid reader and eloquent writer. He was very active in the Pro-Life movement and fought vigorously for the Right to be Born.
This is who he was: a defender of Faith, a searcher of Truth, a man of integrity, a gentle man, a gentleman. He enjoyed another twenty-one years of happy marriage with Claire. "It was indeed A WONDERFUL LIFE!!"
Mr. DeCoste is survived by his wife Claire; sister, Eleanor Scanlon; brother, John and sister in-law Barbara. He is also survived by his five children; Martha Kelly, Margaret and Tom Wolff, Elizabeth and Stephen Bennett, William and Ala'a DeCoste, Ruth and Mike Schmidt; his nine grandchildren; Sarah, Andrew, and William Kelly; Francis and Cammie Wolff; Harry and James Tucker, and Stephen Bennett; Kate Delaney; his three great-grandchildren, Andrew and Avery Tucker and James Tucker, Jr. He is also survived by his loving step-family - Chris and all of the children.
The family wishes to express deep gratitude to our beloved Dr. Timothy Baum and to Dr. Grohman at Mercy ICU, the staff at Gosnell, especially Sarah and Katie.
Visiting Hours celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, January 20 from 4-6 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the Chapel at 9:15 a.m., on Thursday, January 21, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St., Portland. Interment will take place in the spring.
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It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of our father but are comforted knowing that he is now with our mother, Dolores B. DeCoste. We could not have asked for better parents or a more loving childhood. At the Gosnell House my sister and I were blessed to be able to say goodbye as we met dad when he arrived at hospice. He was alert and exuded a sense of calm and serenity. His blue eyes could not have been more beautiful as he said I love you…I love you all. After mum died, we had the pleasure of spending almost every holiday with him over the past 22 years and tried our best to cook renditions of my mother’s world-class comfort foods. He became deeply conservative as he aged, and we struggled with that but tried to understand and respect his point of view. Dad your gentle spirit will always be in our hearts to help guide us through our lives. We love you dad and mom.
– Elizabeth Bennett
I love you Uncle Mark. Love, prayers & hugs to the family. Until we meet again. Love always, Peggy Sue
– Tribute Store
These are photos of my dear dad, Mark DeCoste, last February on his 95th birthday. I especially love this video of my Dad singing, with my sister doing the head motions, and these photos of the cake she and Steve brought. My dad has had CHF (congestive heart failure) for the past few years and over the weekend he was have trouble breathing, and not doing well, thus was hospitalized at Mercy. The doctor said he was in end stage heart failure when my sister called today. We were worried as he was alone because of Covid restrictions, and were really worried about that. Today he was transported to Gosnell House which is a hopice center. The doctor told my sister that Dad was lucid throughout his stay at Mercy, but that the end is near so for us to go there asap. When we got there my sister, Liz, was already inside filling out forms to help get him admitted, and a little later his wife Claire arrived. Tom and i got there shortly after, so since there are Covid restrictions of (only two visitors at a time) we were standing outside taking to my sister’s husband Steve. All of a sudden the ambulance transporting my Dad drove in. The attendants opened the door and when I realized it was him, i shouted Dad! I was so surprised happy to see him awake, in no aparent discomfort and he was his old calm, kind and gentle self. It felt like miracle (thanks mom!). I hugged him and i got to hold his hand, and i told him how happy i was to see him and how much i loved him. He also got to see Tom and Steve who wouldn’t have been able to go in as only 4 people can visit in a 24 hour period. I was so happy to see my Dad in this condition as he probably will be leaving this earth pretty soon. I went home feeling very happy. We have been lucky to have him on this earth for almost 96 years. He is a good man & soon he will join my mother in heaven. Update: my Dad passed peacefully at 4:30 am 12 hours after i wrote this. Rest in peace, Dad. You were thd best! He was a peach!!
– Meg Wolff
We love you so much, and wish we could be there with you. Papa Mark will always be in our hearts.
– With much love – Eric, Tracy, and Isabella
To my beloved Dad and Grandfather Your loving daughter Martha, granddaughter Sarah, and grandsons Andrew and William Kelly. Sadly missed, but forever in our hearts. GOD SAW YOU GETTING TIRED When God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be He put his arms around you And whispered come to me He didn’t like what you went through And He gave you rest His garden must be beautiful He only takes the best And when he saw you sleeping So peacefully and free from pain We wouldn’t wish you back To suffer that again Today we say goodbye And as you take your final rest That garden must be beautiful Because you are one of the best. We love you Dad and Grandpa
– Mary Kelly
Dearest Marc…sad to learn of your passing. Recall your wonderful care to wife Clair and display of devotion to her and all friends, family and those in need! So grateful to have known you… Our warmest wishes to wife Clair and family. You are a remarkable example of friend, husband, father, pal in Christ. Most respectfully in love and prayers, Frank and Bobby Piveronas
– Frank & Bobby Piveronas
I love this tribute to Dad, he was such a peach!!
– Meg Wolff
My sincerest sympathy to Claire, Mary, Meg, Liz, Bill and Ruthie and family. May fond memories warm your hearts. With love and light. Sandie DeCoste
– Sandra DeCoste