Mark Thomas Ganley

Mark Thomas Ganley, of Camillus, passed away on Sunday, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was born on November 7, 1954 to Bob and Rita (Sharkey) Ganley. Mark grew up in a large Irish Catholic family in the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse.

Mark attended Blessed Sacrament Church and graduated from Henninger High School. He spent over a 30-year career with the NYS Parks Department, at Green Lakes and Clark Reservation State Parks. He later served as a security guard at St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center, where he met his wife and best friend, Lorraine.

Mark loved sports and played both baseball and basketball in his younger years. He was a SU basketball fan, but his love and dedication to the NY Yankees were unmatched, traveling with Lorraine to many home and away games. He was a genuine “every game, every pitch, die-hard Yankee fan”.

Mark also loved music, having made memorable trips with his wife and favorite traveling companion, Lorraine, to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and numerous Hard Rock Cafes, as well as taking road trips to see his favorite artists.

His trip to Ireland with his brothers stood out as one of his fondest memories.

He was very proud of his family and loved spending time with them, particularly with his grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. They, in turn, all loved Mark.

He will be missed by his many Facebook friends. Mark was always the first one to respond with a "priceless", or "amazing" comment, or just a smile emoji. He enjoyed keeping up with old friends that way. 

Mark was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Rita; sister, Mary Ann; brother-in-law, Gary Chase; sister-in-law, Lisa Ganley; and stepson-in-law, SSG Adrian Tennant.

He leaves behind his wife, Lorraine, who was his rock and beloved companion; brothers, Peter (Chris) and Rob; sisters, Eileen Chase and Marypat Ganley (Gary Cunningham); step-daughters, Lori Hodge and Lynn Tennant; grandchildren, Zach, Braeden, Gianna and Brady; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Mark was a big strong man with a heart of gold. Although the doctors only gave him a short time after a major heart attack, he was a fighter and went on living an additional eventful and rewarding 20 years. God love you, buddy. You will be greatly missed and always remembered. We will particularly miss your daily “Morning all” texts. Slainte Mark.

Relatives and friends may call Thursday, September 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, September 16 at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Dr., Syracuse.

Mark will be laid to rest in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mark’s name may be made to the Heart Failure Transplant Research Fund, #A11513, University of Rochester, Gift & Donor Records, PO Box 270032, Rochester, NY 14627.