Obituary of Mark Lahey
Mark Lahey, 69, peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick surrounded by his family.
Born in Plainfield, Mark grew up in Green Brook and had been a resident of South Plainfield since 1982.
A graduate of Somerset County Vocational and Technical School (Class of 1974), Mark held many jobs including his first in a lawn mower repair shop (EWS Machines), then later at Piscataway Auto & Marine, and finally as a proud longshoreman with Integrated Industries. On the side he renovated houses, built decks, and snowplowed. Throughout it all, he prided himself on his work ethic and high standards, passing along his expectations to everyone he worked with.
An incredibly beloved husband, father, pop-pop, uncle, brother, cousin, and friend, Mark was a jack of all trades. He was a classic car enthusiast and mechanic, with his prized possession being a 1972 Buick Riviera Boat-tail . He immensely enjoyed his weekend getaways to car shows and recently became an honorary member of the Garden State Street Rod Association. Mark was the handyman’s handyman and loved to share his knowledge of everything home improvement related. He also loved repairing and diagnosing cars, able to pinpoint any issue from just a sound over the phone.
Most of all, Mark loved spending time with his family. Throughout his life, he vacationed in the 1000 Islands in New York where he became an avid fisherman and boater. As his favorite vacation spot, he most recently visited this summer where he was accompanied by his grandchildren for the first time. He also was very active with Boy Scouts as an Asst. Scoutmaster of Troop 207 where he enjoyed camping with his sons, with both attaining the rank of Eagle.
Predeceased by his sister, Bonnie Lahey and brother, Ted Lahey, Mark is survived by his loving and devoted wife Christine; sons, Dan and his wife Jen of Howell and Kevin and his wife Sharon of Oakland; sisters, Judy Schostkewitz and her husband Victor of Shelbyville, KY and Valerie Kasper and her husband Paul of Conway, SC; sister-in-law Nancy Lahey; brother Greg Lahey and his wife Maryalice of Bridgewater; grandchildren, Daniel, Christian, Ethan and Connor and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Also surviving is his dearest grandpuppy, Bessie, and his dearest grandkitties, Allie and Trixie.
Mark, through his “dad” sense of humor and jokes, his selflessness in always giving, his commitment to his family and loved ones, and his enduring love of all, has given us strength through these difficult times.
Please join us in celebrating his life on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 beginning at 4pm followed by a 7:15pm funeral service in the McCriskin – Gustafson Home For Funerals at 2425 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ 07080.
Cremation Services are going to be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/MarkLahey) on Mark’s behalf to further benefit those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.