Mark Pobres Gracias

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mark Pobres Gracias, age 76, of Newark, DE, on Friday, April 7, 2023. Born in Goa, India on November 3, 1946, he was a son of the late Rosario and Jacqueline Gracias. He later moved to Uganda where he grew up and started working. It is there he met Irene DeSouza, fell in love, and got married. When things got bad in Uganda, Irene and Mark fled to the United States and ended up in Wilmington, DE. Mark worked for ALICO and later with Cigna as a Senior Business Analyst. Mark was a loving husband to Irene for 51 years. He was a wonderful father to Kyle, Jacqueline and later Matt. Being the oldest of 9 siblings, he made it his duty to look after his brothers and sisters. Mark was a caring brother-in-law; he adored his nieces and nephews and most of all his grandnieces/nephews. Family meant everything to Mark, but his friends were just as important. So many people considered Mark a dear friend and many have visited Irene and shared wonderful memories of him. Mark was always so hospitable and welcoming to everyone. “The more the merrier “was his saying. He always made sure there was enough food and drink for an entire army. Mark was always the life of the party. Drink in one hand or on the dance floor. He pulled anyone as a dance partner and loved to engage in conversation, even after they just met. Due to his job, he travelled to multiple countries and eventually took his family with him. Travel was his joy. He wanted to see the world and learn about new cultures and history. Mark made some dear friends on his trips, and many continued to be in touch with him long after the trip. Three weeks before his passing Mark took Irene, Jacqueline, Matt, and Kyle on a holiday to Panama. By all accounts he had a great time. Mark had a passion for sports. While he loved basketball, football, and soccer, his biggest love was cricket. As a young man, he played Cricket very well. On most days you could catch him binge watching the Cricket Channel. Mark loved to give people a great big hug. He had a warm smile and was always interested in listening to other people and finding out about their lives A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 12 pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12 pm. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark’s memory to NAMI (mental health), PO Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297 or online by clicking here or to UNICEF Children, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038-4912 or online by clicking here. A Message of Comfort for You God, in his great mercy, Knew when loved ones had to part, Something special would be needed To bring comfort to the heart. So He gave us each a precious gift, Not even time can fade, Of reliving tender moments Through the memories we’ve made. It’s so difficult to understand Why loss must come to be, But thank God for precious moments That live on in memory. Of smiles exchanged and joys expressed, Of ups and downs you shared, Of times you laughed together, And of all the ways you cared. For when time has brought your comfort Through it’s gentle, healing touch. Your most precious gifts will be those thoughts Of the one you loved so much. By Emily Matthews

Mark Pobres Gracias

November 3, 1946 - April 7, 2023