Mark James Sydlowski

Mark James Sydlowski, aged 62, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Warren, Ohio, following a valiant battle with prostate cancer.

Mark was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, on December 15, 1961, the eldest of four boys to James and JoAnne (Bulik) Sydlowski.  He was a lifelong resident of Brookfield, Ohio, and a proud Brookfield Warrior, graduating with the class of 1979.  Mark was active in the school’s marching band during high school and was the starting center for the OHSAA Class AA State Championship Football Team.  Mark and his fellow teammates were inducted into the Brookfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013, an achievement for which the entire community continues to be proud.  He continued his football career for Allegheny College graduating in 1983 with a degree in computer science.  But, to know Mark is to also know that his true passion was playing in the dirt.  After a brief stint at Packard Electric, Mark joined his father in business and together they were Sydlowski Excavating.

Mark was an active member of the Brookfield United Methodist Church, where he served on several committees and took numerous spaghetti dinner orders over the years.  He loved BUMC and his church family unconditionally.  He had true faith in our Lord and in His plans for us all.  Mark is with Him now, whole and unafraid.

In addition to his parents, Jim and JoAnne Sydlowski, Mark leaves behind his wife Melissa (Mills) Sydlowski.  They wed the evening of November 30, 2002 during an unexpected blizzard.  But that didn’t stop a party to be had! Together, they enjoyed 21 years of marriage, doing the things they both liked including fishing and camping at Pymatuning Lake, watching Jeopardy each evening, rooting for and yelling at the Cleveland Browns on Sundays, and just being together.  But, as loyal as they were to each other, what they did not do well together was talk politics, so they didn’t. Melissa and Mark also created the most amazing human in their son Mitchell.

Mitchell James Sydlowski was Mark’s best friend.  Mark was fiercely proud of Mitch, a student at the University of Mount Union pursuing a degree in physics.  Mitch and his dad shared a passion for football and had many conversations about the game regarding coaching, stats, trades, and contracts.   Mark spent many years as a coach for the Brookfield football program and later as a proud Warrior dad while he watched Mitch take the same field as himself.  

Mark was also a cub scout den leader for Brookfield Pack 62.  He and Mitch spent many hours making pinewood derby cars, showing off their “cake bake” skills, and attending scout retreats and camps.  They had many adventures together over the years.  As Mitch grieves the loss of his father, he has no doubts about his father’s love, pride, and adoration of him.  

Also surviving are brother, Jamie Sydlowski, his wife Kristi and their daughter, Dana Sydlowski of Vienna, Ohio, brother, Stephen Sydlowski, his wife Mindy, of Masury, Ohio, and their daughters, Julie Sydlowski and Megan Nicholson, and youngest brother and best man in his wedding, John Sydlowski, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania.  

Mark also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Patricia Mills; father-in-law, Gene “Fuzzy” Mills, and his partner Joyce Klabnik; sister-in-law, Rebekah Patton, and her children, Anthony and Angelina Patton; and his brother-in-law, Christopher Mills, his wife Melissa, and their daughters, Riley, Alex and Kennedy Mills.  His Uncle Fred and Aunt Sandy Sydlowski and Uncle Fred and Aunt Jackie Bulik, as well as their families also survive.  

Mark was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Frank and Grace Sydlowski; and maternal grandparents, Fred and Dorothy Bulik; as well as his cousin, Greg Bulik.  

A man’s worth is measured by those who come together in his honor.  In that regard, Mark’s worth was immeasurable.  The family invites anyone who wishes to gather at Briceland Funeral Service, LLC, 379 State Route 7, SE, Brookfield, Ohio 44403, on Tuesday, February 6th, from 4-8pm.

A memorial service will be held at Brookfield United Methodist Church, 6951 Grove Street, Brookfield, Ohio 44403, at 5pm on Wednesday, February 7th.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations be made directly to the church using P.O. Box 22, Brookfield.  Please know that this is what Mark would have wanted.

Melissa and Mitch wish to extend gratitude and thanks to Mark’s medical team at the Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital, particularly Dr. Willem Van Heeckeren, and the ICU team at St. Joseph’s Hospital who did their best to make this tremendous loss as easy and as manageable as possible. The family also wishes to give gratitude to our loved ones, friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have reached out to offer their love and support.

“All endings are also beginnings.  We just don’t know it at the time.”  

-- Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven