Mark Duda
March 19, 2011
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Service Details
Mark Baity Duda, age 53, of Cumming, Iowa, passed away suddenly Saturday, March 19, 2011. Mark was born December 18, 1957, in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Dr. Edward and Marilyn Duda.
Mark attended Roger Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, CT, and graduated in 1976. He was very active in sports, hockey, lacrosse and football. After high school he followed in his father’s footsteps and went to Williston Academy in Northampton, Massachusetts. He attended Ithaca College where he graduated in 1981. Mark went on to be a well-known leader in the data services industry. Throughout his career, Mark held increasingly senior executive positions at leading marketing services companies including ICOM Information and Communications, Inc., Madison Direct Marketing, The Walter Karl Companies, and the Direct Media Group. Mark was also very involved in the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) including serving on the strategic planning board.
Mark joined Meredith in 2006, and quickly become a valuable colleague, business partner, and friend. He was responsible for marketing Meredith’s deep database of American women and created many valuable relationships with clients. Mark was an energetic and passionate professional.
Mark was an avid sportsman who loved hunting, fishing, cycling, snowshoeing and most of all cheering on his Vikings!
His love of life and family was overwhelming and those that knew him admired him. Even when faced with tragedy and loss, he always remained positive. He enjoyed his friends and family and enjoyed spending time with his sister at the family farm in Dows, Iowa.
He leaves behind his sister, Sarah (Tassinari); his friend, Carol; three children, Rachel, Hilary and Parker; and numerous relatives and friends across the country.
Memorial services are pending.
To honor and pay tribute to Mark, Meredith Corporation and members of the direct/interactive marketing community are joining together to establish a scholarship fund in his name. The fund, which benefits college and university students studying data and targeting strategies in direct and interactive marketing, is administered by the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF). In an effort to mirror the passion and commitment demonstrated by Mark, the first Mark Duda Scholarship Fund will be introduced in 2011, with the first scholarship awarded in August. You may pay tribute to Mark through a contribution to the Fund in his name.
The website is:
www.directworks.org/Contribute/Default.aspx?id=4232
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Cathy from ICOM Toronto
03/23/2011
Mark was a wonderful addition to ICOM: his knowledge was awesome; more importantly, his energy and enthusiasm were contagious. I really loved working with him and when he left, I missed him. I am so sorry that we will all miss him now and I send me deepest sympathies to his family.
Cathy Cronin
Bob Emond
03/23/2011
Mark and I worked together for the last 5 years or so. I came to respect his knowledge, can do attutide and most of all his dignity.
He was one the of "good guys" in our industry.
He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
Bob Emond
Sheri Paul
03/23/2011
I considered Mark a true friend, a gifted man and a gentle soul. He always spoke highly of his family and worked diligently to be there for them, be a good provider and a great role model. I had the great pleasure of working with Mark in several capacities - as a client, a vendor and an employee and he always treated everyone he worked with respectfully, honestly and with grace.
I also got to have fun with Mark - skiing, dancing at the industry parties, and having he and Mary Sue and the kids over for dinner in Summit County and drinking wine and laughing until we all got stitches in our sides.
Mark was always quick with a smile, a hug and a laugh - and made everyone around him feel at ease. He was a true gentleman, a gem . . . I will miss him
Tony Cleveland
03/22/2011
I am very sad to hear Mark has died, I am not sure what happened as we have not talked in a few years. Mark you will be missed, I know you are walking for pheasants and catching fish all day long now. My thoughts and prayers go out to your kids.
Eric Zilling
03/22/2011
Mark was probably my best friend. I met him my first day on the job at Direct Media in January 1984. We've been friends ever since. Mark encouraged me to ask out the woman who became my wife. Over the years, we've skied, biked, sailed, played tennis and paddleball, fished, camped and our families hung out together.
Mark and I have always worked in the same industry so he was always someone I could bounce off ideas, share stories and catch up with at the many trade shows all across the country. To a large degree, his network became mine and mu network became his. When I was considering new jobs, Mark was one of the people I consulted.
Mark was always positive. He had an exceptional sense of humor and he was very realistic.
I cannot overstate his impact on my life. I miss him terribly.
Rest In Peace my Friend.
Eric Zilling
Dan Chester
03/22/2011
I was extremely surprised and deeply saddened by hearing the news about Mark. Ive worked with Mark on and off for the past 20 years and consider him to be a 1%er. He was always the consummate professional who was very adept and building up business and companies where ever he went; thinking strategically and out of the box; and was a geturdone make it so type of guy. Personally he cared deeply for his kids and spoke of their accomplishments and the time spent with them. My prayers go out to his family and close friends.
Dan Chester
Dn.Chester@gmail.com