by Gail M. Burns
It is with deep sadness I write to tell you of the death of our dear friend and colleague, Mark G. Auerbach. While Mark was open about his health struggles, his passing is a shock. When I find more and better words to express what he meant to Berkshire on Stage, and to many, many others in the theatre world, I will deploy them…
At Mark’s request, his friend Joel posted the following on Mark’s Facebook page:
“On Friday, May 2, I passed away from kidney disease and heart disease, a complication from many years of being diabetic.
There won’t be a memorial or funeral. I always hated going to those.
I had a rich and fulfilling life with some great experiences, many of them because of you. And, for that, I am grateful. So many people contributed to my life and left an impact on me. I can’t begin to say thank you. My greatest joys of life were sitting in a theatre, so think of me when a curtain goes up. Remember my efforts to mentor others, and my commitment to the observance of white shoe season.”
In addition, Joel posted the obituary Mark wrote for himself, which ends with suggestions of places to donate in his memory, should anyone feel so inclined:
MARK AUERBACH
I’ve spent most of my professional life telling other people’s bios, so here’s my final chapter. Mark G. Auerbach died on May 2 at the age Auntie Mame Dennis might have described as “somewhere in between 40 and death”. I’ve lived with diabetes for decades, and eventually, diabetes won. On my life journey from Springfield to Longmeadow to Northfield Mount Hermon to Washington, DC to New Haven, CT , back to DC, then to Houston, back to New Haven, to New York City, Miami, and ultimately back to Springfield and Longmeadow. I had a great time working for arts organizations, public radio, running my own company, and working as an arts reporter. There are many people I hope to see again at some point. I’ll be glad to be reunited with my parents and some close friends awaiting my arrival…Newman, Cole, Barrett, Beecher and Paquette. At my request, no funeral services. Remember me as you mentor others. Make other people laugh. Enforce the White Shoe Season rules. I will dearly miss my close pals Patrick, Joel, Chris, Jerome, Cassie, Amy, Miho, Bob, Sarah. Peter and Lydia, and Ben. If you want to memorialize me with a contribution, please make a gift to either Springfield Chamber Players MOSSO) (www.springfieldsymphonymusicians.com), Northfield Mount Hermon School (nmhschool.org), or the theatre of your choice
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and The Yale School of Drama. He worked for arts organizations nationwide, and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produced and hosted ArtsBeat, On The Mark, and Survivor Stories for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. He was a regular contributor to Berkshire Onstage and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.