“Live Life to the Absolute Fullest”
Born on April 11, 1959, in Kansas City, MO, Mark Baum passed away peacefully at Morristown Medical Center on the morning of Sunday, July 5, 2020. Those who knew Mark are aware of his valiant and courageous battle with Cancer.
Son of the late Patricia Irelan and Lloyd Ralph Baum, Mark was the third of six children, Michael married to Connie Baum, Jeanne Marie Long married to David, Nick Baum, Len married to Sandra Cripe, and Patty Ann Irelan Cripe. He is predeceased by his greatest Influences, his Grandfather and Grandmother, Wilbur A. and Maley Irelan. He is also survived by his Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law, Lucia and Richard Huonker, and Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law, Leonard and Kathi Del Gaudio. Mark was married to his most cherished and devoted wife, Mary Jo (Del Gaudio) Baum, with whom he celebrated 31+ years of marriage.
Mark graduated from North Kansas City High School and earned his Associate’s Degree from Maple Woods Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, MO. He then graduated from Park University in Parkville, MO, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master’s Degree in Chemistry.
Mark was a distinguished Senior Technologist, Researcher, and Mentor at EMRE or ExxonMobil Research & Engineering in Clinton and Paulsboro, NJ, and in Olathe, KS, for over 30 years. He was an accomplished Scientist and Inventor, holding nearly two dozen Patents. He was the Recipient of the Lubricants Technology Excellence Award several times during his Career. Mark is well known for his development of Polyurea and Calcium Sulfonate Grease Products used in demanding applications in more than 100 Countries.
Mark had a passion for discovering new ideas and spent tireless hours in the Laboratory engaging others to learn the Science behind his work. He was uninhibited by new challenges and was an Expert Formulator of Greases for ExxonMobil, recognized throughout the Industry. His Manufacturing Expertise was highly sought after and enabled products to be commercialized in several Plants.
Mark always wore a smile and was a positive Spirit. He always approached his work with the desire to share knowledge and was loved by all who worked with him. He was a Mentor to many young people at ExxonMobil and took Colleagues under his wing with open arms, as he did with anyone looking to better themselves. Mark provided wisdom through encouragement, friendship, and his straightforwardness. His practical approach toward challenges allowed one to see what’s important, not only in their careers, but in life. He never wanted credit for others’ successes; instead he was genuinely proud of them when they would achieve their goals. Mark provided many positive guiding principles to people he worked with in both their careers and lives. He once said, “Don’t be conventional, you have more to offer.” His philosophy was, “Research is Essential and Dogged Perseverance is Heroic.”
Mark was a great Conversationalist, a Lover of Antiques, Antique cars and motorcycles, Boats, Greases and Lubricants, Watches, Music, and Classic & silent movies. He was a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association, a long-time Member of the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association and the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club. He enjoyed a good cigar and was proud of his tobacco pipe collection. Among his many talents, Mark was also an Anatomical Artist and Cartoonist.
Mark deeply loved his spouse, Mary Jo. He was the most genuine, kind-hearted person one could ever know. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone and was an awesome Friend to many. He “lived life to its absolute fullest” and will truly be missed by all who knew him.
A gathering of family and friends will take place on Friday, July 10, 2020 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822. Please note: masks are required to be worn at all times on the funeral home premises and all persons must maintain social distancing requirements. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Ambassadors upon arrival. Your respect and understanding is greatly appreciated by the family.
Life celebration services will follow the gathering beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and to which all are welcome. Interment was private.
Please visit Mark’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Gateway for Cancer Research online by clicking HERE or to the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute by clicking HERE.
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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”