Mark H. Gifford

Mark H. Gifford passed away peacefully at home with his family nearby in West Hartford on December 21, 2020. Mark was born September 23, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts and was the beloved husband of Marjorie Kent Gifford for 68 years. He was the son of the late Mark and Henrietta Gifford of Belmont MA. Mark was a very kind, humorous, generous and intelligent man who was cherished by his family and inspired everyone around him during his well-lived life of 90 years. Upon graduating in 1952 from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Teacher Education, Mark was proud to serve in the Navy as an officer during the Korean War on the USS Vogelgesang. He earned his Master's degree in Arts and Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University and attended Princeton University's National Science Foundation Summer Institute for his Master's plus 30 graduate hours and University of Hartford's Sixth year of graduate study. Marks legacy includes fostering knowledge, optimism and confidence within his students during his 40 year career teaching General Science and Advanced Placement Physics at the Norwich Free Academy in Norwich and Conard and Hall High Schools in West Hartford. Mark was the Science Department Head at Hall during the opening of the new Hall High School, Science Department Chair for West Hartford Public Schools, Principal of the West Hartford Summer School and President of the West Hartford Education Association. Mark dedicated himself to ensure the brightest possible future for each of his students. Mark was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Fernleigh Lawn Bowling Club and the Old Guard and was a great sportsman enjoying tennis, golf, lawn bowling, cross-country skiing, traveling and bridge. He was an active volunteer for West Hartford Junior Tennis and inspired his children and many others to love the game. Mark is survived by his beloved wife Marge; sister Nancy; sister-in-law, Barbara; daughter Cindy and her husband Bill; son Steve and his wife Suzanne; daughter Sandy and her partner Joe; grandchildren Alyssa, Laura and Ashley and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mark will be forever alive in the hearts of all those who loved him. Burial was private with military honors at West Hartford's Fairview Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut, www.alz.org/ct. His family thanks the nurses and staff at Hartford Healthcare Hospice. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.