AGAWAM - Mark Nye Chase, 55 of Agawam, passed away peacefully at home on April 12, surrounded by his loving family, after valiantly battling cancer for over 2 years. Mark was born on September 7, 1957 in Westfield, MA to Barbara M. (Morassi) and the late Arthur E. Chase. He grew up in Feeding Hills and was a 1975 graduate of Agawam High School, where he was a member of the marching band, the chorale, and took part in many school musicals. After graduation Mark served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1975 to 1979, when he was honorably discharged after attaining the rank of Corporal. Mark was working at Showcase Cinemas in West Springfield when he met the love of his life and future wife, Carla in 1980. They were married in 1985 and together raised two wonderful sons, Brandon and Adam, of whom Mark was extremely proud. Mark worked for Vertis Communications for 28 years as a Senior Pricing Estimator. Always active in his community, Mark coached for the Sacred Heart Athletic Assn., Agawam Junior League baseball, and Agawam Soccer Assn. He was a volunteer for the James Clark School PTO and helped with the front entrance renovation in 2007. Mark was also a member of the AHS Wrestling Booster Club and was the Tomkiel Tournament chairperson in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, Mark realized a lifetime dream when he became a member of the Springfield Symphony Chorus, singing bass. He performed for two seasons until the cancer made it impossible for him to continue. Always courageously fighting, Mark made medical history in November 2012, when he became the first human in the world to test a new cancer fighting agent for Dana Farber. Mark enjoyed spending quiet time with his wife, going to car shows and fishing with his boys, listening to music from all genres, riding his VStar Classic motorcycle, and will be remembered most of all for his love and dedication to his wife, sons, family and friends. Mark leaves his beloved wife and soul mate of 27 years, Carla (D'Agostino), sons Brandon and Adam at home, mother Barbara (Morassi) Chase of Feeding Hills, sister Kathy Chase of Wilbraham, brothers David Chase of Agawam, and Arthur Chase and wife Lynn of Scarborough, Maine; in-laws Barbara and Angelo D'Agostino of West Springfield, and brother-in-law and his wife, Alan and Ellen D'Agostino of Agawam, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Calling hours will be held on Thursday April 18th from 4 to 7 PM at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St. in Agawam. A celebration of Mark's life will take place at the funeral home on Friday April 19th at 11:30 AM, followed by a committal ceremony with Military Honors at 1 PM in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Mark has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Adam Chase Education Fund, c/o United Bank, Lori Stickles, 806 Suffield Street, Agawam, MA 01001.

[Published in The Springfield Republican from April 15 to April 16, 2013]