Henry "Mark" Housen

Henry Mark Housen, age 69, of Newark, Del., died on Monday, June 17, 2024. Mark was a kind and generous man, with an unparalleled sense of wit and humor who loved his family, cars and woodworking. Mark grew up in Newark, the only son of Henry and Mary Housen. He discovered his love of woodworking in shop class at Shue Middle School and carried that love and natural talent into a successful custom cabinetry business. When he was 18 years old, he owned his own Getty gas station. Not only was he the youngest gas station owner in the country, he had the smallest station but pumped the highest volume of gas, earning him a spot on the cover of Getty Magazine. After leaving the gas station, Mark worked at the Getty (and then Texaco) refinery in Delaware City, where he made many life-long friends. He was most proud of the family and life he built with his wife of nearly 44 years, Sherry. Together they raised their two daughters, who credit their determination, success and ability to land a punchline to Mark. They truly are their father’s daughters. Mark loved spending his days with Sherry, whether they were traveling to Florida and relaxing in the pool all day, driving up the East Coast to Maine and enjoying Nubble Light or simply driving to Lancaster and having breakfast at their favorite diner. A car aficionado with a wealth of automotive knowledge, Mark was also known to have a bit of a lead foot (which his daughters also inherited). Recently, he started driving performance cars on racetracks where he could really put the pedal to the metal. And in the day-to-day moments that make up a life, Mark was the dependable friend or family member that everyone knew they could count on. If you needed a ride to the airport or there was a squeak in your car — you called Mark. Anything you needed, he knew about and could fix. He might tease you a little, with a twinkle in his eye as he fixed your problem, but he was always happy to help. Mark spent the last day of his life surrounded by his family on the beach in Ocean City, N.J., having an epic squirt gun fight with his grandchildren and then relaxing with a view of the ocean playing the family’s much-loved game, “What’s Your Favorite?” Mark is survived by his wife Sherry; his daughters, Kelly Housen DeAngelis and Katy Housen Muti, their husbands, Steven DeAngelis and David Muti; and his beloved grandchildren, Penny Kathleen DeAngelis and Elliott Housen Muti. As per his wishes to not “make a fuss,” all services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Mark can be made to your favorite charity or the Henry Ford Museum, at www.thehenryford.org.honor-memorial-gifts.

Henry "Mark" Housen

February 21, 1955 - June 17, 2024