Dr. Mark Pusateri

Dr. Mark Pusateri, 66, of Barrington, IL born May 7, 1955 in Palatine, IL died Wednesday February 23, 2022 at the Captain James Lovell Federal Health Center in North Chicago after a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Nicole Joy, and his father Dr. Roy Pusateri.

He is survived by his loving mother, Maryanne Pusateri (nee O’Hearn); his wife of ten years, Denise Nash; his sons Anthony and Alex Pusateri; a stepdaughter Heather Nash Clary (Eddie); one grandson Theodore Clary; six siblings, Caryn Azar (Alan); Don Pusateri (Barbara); James Pusateri (Maria); Patti DiCenso (Tom); Lisa Draper, and Marianne Rosenbaum (Kevin); as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his dearest friend Donna Soroka.

Mark was raised in Arlington Heights, IL and after he graduated from Arlington High School in 1973, he attended Loyola University in Chicago and for a Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry. He decided to follow in his dad’s footsteps for a career in dentistry and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1981 from Loyola University School of Dentistry in Maywood, IL.  Looking for a way to give back to our country, he joined the United States Air Force Dental Corp and was stationed at Barksdale Airforce Base in Shreveport, LA for the next three years. With that experience he felt ready to join his late father, Dr. Roy Pusateri’s private Family Dental practice in Palatine, IL.  This then proved to be the focus of his dental career for the next 35 years.  He took great pride in his work and always kept in mind when treating his patients that it always be how he would want to be cared for.  His patients he so loved and worried about them after he was no longer able to be in the office.  He cherished his loyal and close staff and treated them like his extended family. Mark had a unique sense of humor and you could often hear his warm and hearty laughter throughout his workday.  It seemed to create the relaxed atmosphere that was his style to put his patients at ease.

Professionally, he was involved in community organizations like the Barrington Knights of Columbus, the Palatine Lions Club, and a board member for Pegasus the Children’s Airlift.

Missing the camaraderie of the military, he joined the Air Force Reserves and thoroughly enjoyed his weekend reserve duty at Grissom Air Base outside Kokomo, IN for the next 6 years.  He retired from the military as the Gulf War ended in 1992.

Mark loved his free time and vacations especially if it involved being outdoors with a good fishing lake close by.  Some of his most happy moments were fishing the Canada Boundary Waters and Crater Lake in Oregon with his sons with whom he was so devoted.  Mark loved and cheered on his beloved Chicago White Sox, enjoyed good food especially his Irish mother’s Italian cooking, and trips to West Palm Beach, Fl in recent years.

Mark exemplified a man who lived with integrity, a strong work ethic, humility, and such kindness in his every day life. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy in Chicago IL  at https://www.misericordia.com/giving/donate-online/

There will be a visitation held at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home at 185 E Northwest Hwy. Palatine, IL on Friday March 4, 2022 from 8:30-9:45 AM.  A Memorial Mass to follow at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church 465 N. Benton St in Palatine, IL at 10 AM. Interment Private.

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