Obituary for Mark Tawa
Mark Tawa, age 45, resident of Acton, MA, passed away Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. He was born in Boston, to Leslie and Michael Tawa. He was married for just shy of 17 years to Virginia (Burre) Tawa. The loving couple have two daughters, Molly, age 13, and Nora, age 11. Mark was a beloved son, loving spouse, caring father, devoted friend, and inspiring sports coach.
Mark graduated from Walpole High School in 1995, earned a BS from Providence College in 1999, and a Masters of Science in Chemistry from Dartmouth College in 2002. Mark joined Alkermes in January of 2010, starting first as a Sr. Scientist I in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and grew as a leader over the years to ultimately run all of Pharmaceutical Development as a Vice President. Mark was a wonderful person, friend and a tremendous leader. There wasn’t a medicine over the last 13 years that he didn’t have an impact on. Mark had a passion for Alkermes, for developing others and for driving innovation in all that they do.
His family was always at the center of his life, but he had room in his heart for all people. Anyone who met Mark knew his warmth and good nature, readiness to listen, his playful sense of humor and notorious storytelling abilities. He was thoughtful and curious and approached everyone with an open mind and generous spirit, always forgiving, always offering a new perspective. His relationships with his nieces and nephews were priceless. His fun loving personality charmed them to no end.
Mark had many talents and passions. His technical and methodical abilities carried on strongly into his home life. He carefully planned and mastered home ownership making renovations and improvements to his family’s beautiful home and garden. He was an amazing cook and made creative cocktails for the many gatherings of family and friends in their beautiful Acton home.
Mark was dedicated to his daughters’ sports activities whether cheering on the pool sidelines, or coaching on the soccer field and the basketball court. His commitment to and passion for the teams he coached are an example of his dedication to the youth community. He was a positive force for all he touched.
Mark has left us too soon, but much of him lives on in his two daughters, Molly and Nora, who continue to move through this world with their father’s kindness, sensitivity and open, loving spirit. They are his joy and ours. We will miss him always.
In addition to his wife and daughters, Mark is survived by parents, Michael and Leslie Tawa, his brother Derek and his wife, Jennifer, father and mother in-laws Charles and Susan Burre, brother-in-law Thomas Burre and his wife Rebecca, sister-in-law, Sarah Heller and her husband Matt, brother-in-law Jonathan Burre and his wife Jane, many loving nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Doctors Without Borders.
https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate
Mark graduated from Walpole High School in 1995, earned a BS from Providence College in 1999, and a Masters of Science in Chemistry from Dartmouth College in 2002. Mark joined Alkermes in January of 2010, starting first as a Sr. Scientist I in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and grew as a leader over the years to ultimately run all of Pharmaceutical Development as a Vice President. Mark was a wonderful person, friend and a tremendous leader. There wasn’t a medicine over the last 13 years that he didn’t have an impact on. Mark had a passion for Alkermes, for developing others and for driving innovation in all that they do.
His family was always at the center of his life, but he had room in his heart for all people. Anyone who met Mark knew his warmth and good nature, readiness to listen, his playful sense of humor and notorious storytelling abilities. He was thoughtful and curious and approached everyone with an open mind and generous spirit, always forgiving, always offering a new perspective. His relationships with his nieces and nephews were priceless. His fun loving personality charmed them to no end.
Mark had many talents and passions. His technical and methodical abilities carried on strongly into his home life. He carefully planned and mastered home ownership making renovations and improvements to his family’s beautiful home and garden. He was an amazing cook and made creative cocktails for the many gatherings of family and friends in their beautiful Acton home.
Mark was dedicated to his daughters’ sports activities whether cheering on the pool sidelines, or coaching on the soccer field and the basketball court. His commitment to and passion for the teams he coached are an example of his dedication to the youth community. He was a positive force for all he touched.
Mark has left us too soon, but much of him lives on in his two daughters, Molly and Nora, who continue to move through this world with their father’s kindness, sensitivity and open, loving spirit. They are his joy and ours. We will miss him always.
In addition to his wife and daughters, Mark is survived by parents, Michael and Leslie Tawa, his brother Derek and his wife, Jennifer, father and mother in-laws Charles and Susan Burre, brother-in-law Thomas Burre and his wife Rebecca, sister-in-law, Sarah Heller and her husband Matt, brother-in-law Jonathan Burre and his wife Jane, many loving nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Doctors Without Borders.
https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate