Joseph Alan Marks 2/15/1980-9/12/2024

Son, brother, nephew, cousin, husband, father, friend—were only a few titles that Joseph Alan Marks held when he was taken from us on September 12, 2024  True to Joe, he fought that unforgiving cancer with everything he had til the very last moment.  Leaving behind, missing him always, a beautiful daughter Neva Marks and a loving wife Ivy McShannon. His mother Susan Marks, brothers William (Carrie) Marks of New Jersey, Daniel Marks of Florida and sister Michelle Shearer of Arizona. As well as countless family and friends spread all across the country. He was preceded in death by his father and best friend, Bill Marks.

 Joe was born February 15, 1980 in Edison NJ where he grew up with two brothers and an amazing group of buddies challenging the status quo all over the jersey shore.Joe was an experienced electrician when he earned his GED in 2010 and enrolled in the National Aviation Academy in Clearwater Florida. He graduated in 2012 obtaining a Federal Airframe and Powerplant license and an Avionics Diploma by the FAA/FCC.

He started his Avionics career immediately as a contractor willing to travel; and first landed in the Bitterroot Valley Montana. Quickly becoming one with his environment, this is where he fell in love with huckleberries, his favorite boots made their first appearance and the beard became a permanent fixture upon his face. He even gained a story about escaping from a bear.

From there he went to Nebraska, met Ivy and they would travel for work and live in many different states.  Joe love traveling, he saw himself lucky to have a career that allowed him to discover so many beautiful places. This also, continued the challenge of trying every pizza place along the way, searching for a decent substitute for that New Jersey slice.

Another of Joe’s passions was music, stretching across all genres from country to rap and classics to heavy metal. He enjoyed the introduction of a possible new favorite to anyone willing to listen to his latest music recommendation.  And that love was amplified by the fact he knew every lyric to any song he listened to more than once. This being only one paragon of Joe’s expansive intelligence.

Joe loved to learn, and most of his random learnings were all self taught as he loved to read. Chess was played online daily to keep his mind sharp. And practicing all different ways of solving the Rubix Cube, which he could solve in a personal best of 53 seconds. He was the first to stand up in a challenge of any game or sport as he was competitive to the core. He grew up winning championships in baseball with his Dad, shooting hoops with the guys, playing FIFA soccer with the boys on the box and dominating anyone to challenge him at cornhole.

Above all the things in life Joe loved, nothing compares to the brightest light of his life, his daughter Neva. He would say she is the only accomplishment in his life that truly mattered. And the greatest joy of his life.  His legacy lives on through her courageous heart. 

Throughout his adventures there are a few special places that will forever hold the most cherished memories of Joe. So please be sure to think of him if you ever listen to the waves crashing on the shores of the Outer Banks, North Carolina, swim in the warm water at Honeymoon Island Florida or breath-in the crisp mountain air of the Bitterroot Valley Montana.

And of course, you’re lucky enough to get to catch a Ranger game and head to New Jersey for the undeniable perfect slice, stop in for breakfast at the local deli get one more porkroll egg and cheese (salt, pepper, ketchup) on Sesame for Butch. 

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