Obituary of Leopold Marks

Dansville – Leopold "Leo" Marks, age 91, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024, after a prolonged illness. He was born on March 5, 1933, in Bessarabia, the son of Albert and Matrona Marks, Leo lived his early years through the duration of WWII. In 1956, at the age of 23, a sponsor brought Leo to the United States. He was sent to live with Dr. House, a minister in Perry NY. With encouragement from a dean at SUNY Geneseo, he enrolled as a math education major at the university and received his BS degree in 1960 and MS in 1962. Mr. Marks continued his education by completing 45 hours of study in Russian, German Literature, and Linguistics at the Univ. of Rochester. After short teaching assignments in Rochester and Retsof, Leo joined the Dansville Central School System in1961 where he remained for 33 years until his retirement 1994. Additionally, he taught German at the Colby College Summer Institute in Waterville, ME and elementary German, mathematics, and methods of teaching at SUNY Geneseo. In 1961, Leo married Mary Jo O'Grady, a fellow student at SUNY Geneseo and later a fellow teacher in the Dansville School System. In 1988, Leo was one of three finalists from the State of New York competing for the President's Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics in teaching. He was recognized for starting the Advance Placement calculus program, leading a major curriculum improvement project and developing a sequence of courses in computer programming. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Jo (O'Grady) Marks. In addition, Leo was predeceased by his father Albert, his mother Matrona, his sister Klara Marks Heimann (Klaus d.), and his brother Erwin Marks. He is survived by his sisters-in-law: Kathleen O'Grady Chiacchierini (Richard); Maureen O'Grady Updike (Ronald d.); Martha O'Grady Evans (Richard); Alyce Marks (Erwin d.) Survived also by 17 nieces and nephews and 21 grand nieces and nephews. Leo was a major influencer and contributor to the Dansville/Sparta community. He had a genuine love for the kids he taught and the friends he made. In addition to being the chair of the Dansville HS Math Dept for 30 years, Leo was a member of all state and local teacher organizations, including president of the Genesse Valley Teacher's Assoc. His community services included: A 14-year member of the Sparta town board (last 5 years as supervisor); Clara Barton Chap. #1 of the American Red Cross (board member, treasurer, and fund raiser – received Founder's Award) Dansville Rod and Gun Club (life member, treasurer, financial advisor and cook extraordinaire); Livingston Co. Community Services Block Grant Funds; Dansville Economic Development Committee; and Wayland Community Chest member. Leo was the recipient of numerous service awards, accolades and tributes. Friends and family may call Monday July 29, from 11:00 am to 1:00pm at the Hindle Funeral Home, Inc. 271 Main St, Dansville, where a funeral service will be held at 1:00pm/ Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery Dansville. A reception will be held at then Dansville Fish and Game Club after private committal prayers at cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Clara Barton Chapter # 1 of the American Red Cross, 57 Elizabeth St., Dansville, NY 14437, or a charity of choice.