Obituary of Mark W Tamke

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Mark W. Tamke, 56, of Bernardsville, NJ, passed away suddenly on March 8, 2025, in Vermont. 

Funeral service will be held at The Church of St. James,184 South Finley Ave. Basking Ridge, New Jersey, on Tuesday March 18^th at 11am with Father Jay of Our Lady of Perpetual Help officiating. A private burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will also be held at The Church of St. James on Monday, March 17^th from 4-7pm. Gallaway and Crane will be managing the funeral arrangements.

Mark was born in Morristown, NJ to Warren and Eileen Tamke on August 19, 1968. He went to high school at Bernards High and graduated in 1986. He went on to earn a BA degree from LIU Post. Mark worked as Senior Director, Client Delivery Partner for IQVIA for the past 10 years. Prior to that, Mark worked at Janssen Pharmaceutical Company and Ortho Pharmaceuticals of Johnson and Johnson.

Mark was a dedicated member of The Bernardsville Fire Company for over 15 years, joining the department in 2008 and serving in various roles. In addition to these roles, Mark served on numerous committees, including Head Trustee and Chair of Fundraising. He also brought joy to the community each year as Santa Claus during the annual Santa Run. His unwavering commitment to the department and deep pride in representing his hometown will leave a lasting legacy.

Mark loved his family immensely, there was nothing he would not do for them.  Mark could often be seen outside his home doing yardwork “picking up sticks” as his kids would joke. He did not think twice about driving for hours to fix a family member’s car or to just lend a helping hand. He loved helping friends with things such as oil changes, car diagnostics, broken appliances, and such.

Mark’s happy place was his family home on Long Beach Island where he loved to spend time with his family and friends.  After puttering around the yard and doing upkeep of the house all morning, Mark would head to the Beach with his speaker, chair, and a cooler of cold beer to relax.  In the evening, he was the grill expert and would keep his family laughing for hours.  In the Winter, Mark loved skiing in Vermont with his sons, brother-in-law, and nephew.

Mark is survived by his loving wife Laura of 29 years and four children, Farrell, Connor, Anna, and Mark and his dedicated dog Willy.   He is also survived by his 3 sisters, Lori, Anne, Sallie Jo, 13 nieces, 6 nephews, 2 great nieces and 2 great nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Warren S. Tamke and his mother, Eileen, his brother, Warren K. Tamke, and his nephew Evan.

Mark was an example of strength, a source of endless laughter, and a source of compassion. His towering presence was matched only by the depth of his kindness, which touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. He had a unique gift for making people laugh and feel cared for, no matter the circumstances. Professionally, he was a dedicated and respected figure, always striving for excellence and inspiring those around him. But it was his personal touch, his genuine concern for others, that truly set him apart. He had a unique ability to make everyone feel valued and heard, whether through his infectious humor or his thoughtful gestures.

Memorial donations may be made in Mark’s memory to The Bernardsville Fire Company #1 and First Aid Squad https://www.bernardsvillefire.org/en/donate

For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com.