Mark Robert Ayoub

Mark Robert Ayoub died on July 9, 2019 in San Francisco.   In his 33 years, he lived an adventurous, experience-filled life.  He traveled to 55 countries and explored them to the fullest. Everywhere he went, he made new friends, making his world a more inclusive place. He gave us all a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen. Mark's favorite charity is Miles4Migrants, an organization dedicated to helping refugees begin a new life through donations of airlines miles. Through his donation, Mark gave a Syrian family a new start in a safer country. He said to them in a letter "You are my family too, just 100 years later." 

Mark was born and raised in Needham MA, son of Robert and Gretchen Ayoub. Mark graduated from Needham High School in 2004. He was a talented musician with perfect pitch who could play any song on the piano just by hearing it and could quickly join an impromptu jam session on his trombone. 

After graduating from Hendrix College in 2008, he moved to San Francisco to pursue a career in political research,  incorporating his belief in justice and equal rights for all. In 2018, Mark received his M.S. degree in Strategic Analytics from Brandeis University.   His latest job at Change Research was the culmination of his passion for working for progressive social change. 

Mark was a competitive swimmer and a participant in many athletic events including a Marathon and Iron Man competition. He was an accomplished cook, drawing from world-wide cuisines and an award-winning contestant in national pun competitions. 

While he was a world traveler, family and friends were his first love. He will be forever missed by so many. He was "Uncle Mark" to his cousins' children and at holiday parties could most often be found with the little ones clamoring to play with him, a giant, loving oak tree of a guy. He made a point of going out of his way wherever he was to make sure he had time to visit family and friends. He was devoted to his sister, Corinne, and was there for her through the worst of times and the best. They lived on separate coasts, but were as close as could be. He was the son who loved traveling with his mom and showing her a new way to see the world. 

Mark's father died in 2005. He would have been so proud of his son who emulated the values Bob instilled - family first, taking care of each other, and making time for people. He is survived by his mother Gretchen and his sister, Corinne, and several loving aunts, uncles and cousins. He was the proud godfather to Olivia Welch, a role that he cherished and spent much time before her birthday and Christmas trying to find the perfect gift.   He met his fiancee, Angie Lee, of San Francisco, in 2015  who immediately become part of our family. He was deeply in love with her  and was thrilled to have found a life partner. Her love, kindness, and sense of adventure made them a perfect match. 

In the spirit of Mark's goodwill and desire to make the world a better place through sharing resources and expanding access to those who need it most, donations of money or airline miles in lieu of flowers made be made to miles4migrants.org/Mark

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, July 18th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Church of St. John of Damascus 300 West St. (Rte 135 at Rte 95) Dedham, MA. Funeral Service will be held at St. John of Damascus Friday, July 19th at 10 a.m. Mark will be buried in Needham Cemetery. 

Florists:  Please deliver directly to the Church.

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