Mark Thomas Milsap, 63, of Bethel, devoted husband of Sandra (Denike) Milsap, beloved son, brother, father, brother-in-law, uncle, father-in-law, friend and colleague, passed away after a brave 17-year battle with cancer. He was released from his pain and suffering on Thursday November 16, 2017 at Regional Hospice in Danbury.

Mark was born February 6, 1954 in Buffalo, New York to Thomas O. and June (Vallett) Milsap. After Buffalo the family moved for a brief time to Briarcliff, NY, and then to Northport, Long Island, NY where he spent the rest of his childhood. As a child he enjoyed building things (particularly a rec room in the basement of their home), boating, sailing on the family’s O’Day sailboat and participating in church and Boy Scout activities.

He met his wife Sandy while in college at the State University of New York at Oneonta. They married in 1978 at the Ardsley United Methodist Church and moved to Danbury CT. In 1984 Mark and Sandy were blessed with the birth of their first son, Matthew Edward. In 1990 their son Michael Thomas joined the family. The boys were one of the great joys of Mark and Sandy’s life. In addition to spending time with his family, Mark enjoyed woodworking and building projects in his workshop, camping, music, traveling to visit family, and reading, particularly Stephen King.  He was an avid Yankee and Giants fan, often exchanging jokes with friends who were Red Sox and Patriots fans.

Initially Mark worked for Allied Stores at Read’s Department Store in Danbury. While with Allied he took advantage of an opportunity to train in computer science. In 1982 he began what would be a life-long career with Homequity (currently Cartus Corporation) as a COBOL Programmer. Throughout his career he enjoyed working in several aspects of the IT Department as a System Analyst, Project Leader, Senior Systems Analyst, and Lead Business Analyst. In 2013 he joined Cartus’ new Analytics and Business Technology Team where he worked until his passing.

Mark was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Bethel where he served as Senior Deacon, Chair of the Outreach Board, and on the Fund-Raising Committee.  He was one of the ‘go-to’ BBQ Chefs at the church’s many functions in addition to cheerfully helping out wherever needed. He and Sandy sang in the church choir and he was a member of the Connecticut Master Chorale for many years. He performed with the CT Master Chorale at Lincoln Center in 2009 when they sang the U.S. premiere of Karl Jenkin's "Stabat Mater".

In addition to Sandra (Denike) Milsap, his wife of 40 years, Mark is survived by his father Thomas O. Milsap; sister Pamela and husband R.P. Higgins; sons Matthew and Amanda (Cambra) Milsap and Michael Milsap and girlfriend Alexa Griffin; brother-in-law Randy and wife Karen (Cotton) Denike; nephew Lucas P. Higgins and wife Emily Anne (Kennedy) Higgins, and niece Dana Vallett Higgins. He was predeceased by his mother June (Vallett) Milsap and his in-laws, Edward H. and Carol (Meyer) Denike.

Mark will be greatly missed by all who knew him and will be remembered for many things, especially his sense of humor, kind heart and devotion to family and friends. A service in celebration of his life will be held Sunday, December 10, 2 PM at the First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St., Bethel, CT  06801. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the “FCCB Columbarium Fund” at the above address for the creation of a Columbarium where his ashes will be inurned.

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