Mark Joseph Pierson

1972-2022

Knoxville, TN

Mark Joseph Pierson (aka Marky Parkay), 50, passed away with his wife by his side on December 19, 2022. Mark was born December 4th, 1972, in Brockton, MA to Jean (Mackiewicz) Clark and the late Donald Pierson. He spent his early childhood growing up in Abington, MA where he played ice hockey and often swam at the Island Grove. Mark relocated to Clifton Springs, NY with his family in 1984 where he attended and graduated (1991) from Midlakes schools. He was a committed problem-solver who persevered until he figured it out, a self-taught guitar player, and had a quick and greatly timed sense of humor.

Mark had a passion for computers and technology. In his early career he worked with his sister running Computer Excellence where Mark repaired the computers while Kerry taught customers how to use them. He was the "I know a guy, guy". Over the years that followed Mark worked for IEC Electronics, Sutherland Group, Eastman Kodak, Time Warner, and lastly for Earthlink before he became disabled in early 2016. He also really enjoyed sports cars, modifying them, and driving fast to their limits. You may have known Mark as SpdBoyNY. Oh, and don't forget the sound-system with amplified subwoofers in the boot.

Mark is survived by his wife Aretta (Stillman) Pierson of Knoxville, TN (formerly of Rochester, NY and hometown Cuba, NY). Mark found Aretta via online dating app Cupid.com in the fall of 2012, likely a match by way of their mutual love for fast cars (both driving Mini Coopers at the time). Not long after meeting they mutually deleted their profiles, and they married in the spring of 2015. Throughout their relationship they enjoyed lots of traveling, even as recently as just a month before Mark passed. The dots on their map span from Massachusetts to Hawaii and Canada to Honduras with many in-between including Mexico, California, Jamaica, and Florida.  Most frequented was Las Vegas, NV as Mark especially enjoyed (and so does Aretta now) gambling slots for fun. Mark and Aretta relocated to Knoxville, TN in early 2017. He is also survived by their beagle fur-baby Jaeda Pierson who Mark loved to make sing, play catch, snuggle, and affectionately called her Jaeda-potata.

Mark is also survived by his mother Jean (Mackiewicz, Pierson) Clark and step-father Donald Clark of Chatsworth, GA, (formerly of Phelps, NY), his sister Kerry (Mackiewicz, Mussaw) Smith and brother-in-law Kenn Smith of Woodstock, GA, nieces Brittany Mussaw of TX, Kelsey Mussaw of ME, Laramie Smith of NC, and Harmony Smith of GA and nephew Tyler Mussaw of GA, as well as his long-time friend Tim Falker, and cousin Michelle (Wales) Pratt along with many other friends, cousins, aunts, uncles and colleagues. Mark was predeceased by his father Donald Pierson and his sister Laurie Pierson both of Clifton Springs, NY.

Mark will be interred at Oaklawn Cemetery, Phelps, NY above his sister this spring. There will be a graveside service at that time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mark to the National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org/donation) respective to this organ failure disease that he fought for several years. Perhaps also consider giving the gift of life by registering to be an organ donor (https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up). Though Mark was unable to remain on the UNOS transplant list (https://www.unos.org/transplant/) he was a donor and would be honored by you making the same choice.