fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Manage HV1 Account
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Mark Braunstein passes

by HV1 Staff
September 28, 2021
in Community
1
Mark Braunstein passes

Tributes and remembrances have poured in to Facebook and other sources acknowledging the passing of Mark S. Braunstein, noted philanthropist and chairman of the board and founder of the broadcast supply house Markertek, who died at the age of 71 on September 23, 2021 at Kingston Hospital after a long illness and complications from COVID-19.

“We lost him today. My husband and best friend. He made me shine,” wrote Katherine McKenna, Braunstein’s wife.

An announcement from Markertek offered “our heartfelt condolences to his wife Katharine, his son Andrew and his daughter Eliza.”

Markertek’s post added, “Incredibly focused and driven, Mark was the epitome of success from a relentless work ethic. He opened the Markertek doors in 1987 as Marker Technologies and remained its president until 2016. Starting from a 3-man operation, it quickly turned into one of the most respected names in the broadcast video supply industry.

“Mark was a rare visionary who brought out the best in those who worked with him. He understood the process of achieving goals and rewarding them, while at the same time, how a late afternoon game of ping pong offered release.”

Among his many philanthropic endeavors, Braunstein created the Markertek Fund and founded the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Woodstock in 1993. The Markertek Open Charitable Golf Tournament was launched in 1997 and soon thereafter the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley became its benefactor. He was the founding sponsor of the Woodstock Film Festival. He would later carry this forward to help Laurent Rejto create the Hudson Valley Film Commission.

At the Film Commission website, Rejto wrote: “In 2000, I had the good fortune of meeting Mark at the old Markertek company headquarters in Saugerties. I was looking for support to launch a Film Festival. I left that day with a founding sponsor and a friendship that would bless me forever.

“Later on, when things got tough, Mark became the primary sponsor of the Hudson Valley Film Commission. His support directly impacted hundreds of productions, helping to create thousands of jobs and regional economic development. His impact cannot be overstated! In 2015, he suggested turning One Tompsons in Saugerties into a Film Studio. Today, as Upriver, it is hosting an HBO TV show. He never took credit for any of those things.

His humility was admirable. I will also miss his kindness, support, patience, mentorship, wisdom, and his friendship above all…”

Braunstein’s generosity knew no bounds. According to an obituary published by Seamon Wilsey Funeral Home in Kingston, “He set up the media center at the Woodstock Day School and generously donated to the Arts Society of Kingston’s Great Room for the Arts. He was a major supporter of the Women’s Health Expo. He supported the Woodstock Film Festival for many years as well as the Hudson Valley Film Commission. He lent his support to the High Mountain Institute in Leadville, CO, and gifted to Pratt Institute the ‘Katharine L. McKenna Screening Room.’ His humble support was spread throughout the community, too many to list, but is felt by all. In his love for the Arts, his final contribution to the community was toward the rehabilitation of the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony Theater, finished with lights on, in time for him to see it.” Braunstein also donated generously to purchase Alf Evers visual aid equipment to enable him to read text more easily, while he finished his History of Kingston in early 2000s.

The Markertek statement ended with a tribute. “We have treasured our time with you on this earth. Our love and admiration for the man you were could never be quantified. May you rest in peace and your memory be a blessing for all of those who were lucky enough to call you a friend.”

Born March 9, 1950 in Queens, NY he was the son of the late Alvin and Barbara Braunstein.

Survivors include his wife, Katharine L. McKenna; a daughter, Eliza R. McKenna and a son, Andy Braunstein all of Woodstock. A sister, Ronnie (Mark) Astor of Maryville, TN, and a grandchild, Adelaide Braunstein also survive. He was predeceased by his son Benjamin Braunstein.

A service to celebrate the life of Mark Braunstein will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 10 at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY 12498.

In lieu of flowers, please choose and donate to one of Mark’s favorite charities.

“What a life he lived,” said Meira Blaustein, Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director, “a very full life…thank God for that…”

Thank you for reading Hudson Valley One. We rely on your support to continue providing local, substantive news. Please check out our subscription options to keep local journalism alive in the Hudson Valley.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher
Previous Post

Once essential to the economy, old mills and covered bridges are now historical relics

Next Post

An interview with Kingston historian Taylor Bruck

HV1 Staff

Related Posts

Saugerties Farmers’ Market opens May 28
Community

Saugerties Farmers’ Market opens May 28

May 24, 2022
Spring festival and car show in Esopus
Community

Spring festival and car show in Esopus

May 23, 2022
Take Me Out to the Ball Game…
Community

Take Me Out to the Ball Game…

May 23, 2022
My Kingston Kids parade and celebration
Community

My Kingston Kids parade and celebration

May 23, 2022
After two-year break, New Paltz Regatta marks 67th anniversary June 12
Community

After two-year break, New Paltz Regatta marks 67th anniversary June 12

May 22, 2022
Local therapists provide uninterrupted free care to foster-care kids
Community

Local therapists provide uninterrupted free care to foster-care kids

May 22, 2022
Next Post
An interview with Kingston historian Taylor Bruck

An interview with Kingston historian Taylor Bruck

Please login to join discussion

Trending News

  • Local therapists provide uninterrupted free care to foster-care kids 2.7k views
  • Eating order executed in New Paltz 1.1k views
  • Uproar in New Paltz over plan to abandon green electricity 872 views
  • Village of Saugerties planners hold public hearing for Dragon Inn 651 views
  • Hapag Kainan in Highland offers Filipino culinary delights 606 views







Latest HV1 Podcast

Weather

Kingston
◉
66°
Partly Cloudy
5:27am8:18pm EDT
Feels like: 66°F
Wind: 4mph E
Humidity: 45%
Pressure: 30.3"Hg
UV index: 8
WedThuFri
77/50°F
72/61°F
81/64°F
Weather forecast Kingston, New York ▸

Ulster County COVID-19 Active Cases

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Manage HV1 Account

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In

© 2022 Ulster Publishing