Marcus M. Muzzy

Marcus M. Muzzy, affectionately known as Mark, departed this world on May 12, 2025, at the age of 96 in Wichita, Kansas. Born on August 7, 1928, in Gray, Maine, Mark lived a life characterized by dedication, humility, and a profound devotion to his faith and family.

A proud and honorable veteran, Mark enlisted in the United States Navy at the youthful age of 17. Over a distinguished 22-year career, he reached the rank of Lieutenant, serving on multiple ships within the Pacific fleet (including the USS Kitty Hawk, Orion, Lexington, and Oriskany) during three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His naval career was marked by excellence, as he trained and served as an electrician, nuclear weapons specialist, firing control man, radar technician and ultimately an educator at the renowned Defense Nuclear Weapons School at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon retirement from military service, he continued to apply his skills in the civilian sector with the Federal Aviation Administration.

In an inspiring testament to his character, together with his wife Maria, Mark helped raise his niece Paula for a significant portion of her youth, and years later adopted his son Justin at the age of 59, a decision that many would regard as formidable as he approached retirement age. He imparted his love for learning and craftsmanship to Justin, teaching him woodworking and guiding him through the intricacies of car mechanics, including the thrill of rebuilding his first engine at the age of 13. Mark also cherished the memories of playing on the floor with his grandchildren well into his eighties, embodying the spirit of a loving grandfather.

Mark’s marriage to Maria, affectionately known as Sally, was a partnership built on God, love, and an unwavering commitment to each other. They enjoyed walking everywhere and dancing together in their younger years. As they grew older, the couple delighted in evenings spent sitting on their back porch, in tranquil companionship. In her final years, Mark took care of Sally as she battled dementia, despite having his own severe health complications with kidney failure for the last decade of his life. When Sally finally passed in 2019, they had been together an amazing and wonderful 66 years.

A devoted Catholic since his conversion in 1951, Mark was deeply committed to his faith. His humility and kindness were evident in his daily presence at Mass, which he attended faithfully until his health deteriorated in the final few months of his life. He was not one to seek accolades or recognition; rather, he embraced a stoic demeanor, always pleasant and free from judgment. Mark was profoundly grateful for the blessings of God, his beloved wife, and his family.

Mark was also an avid bowler, his competitive spirit shining as he and Sally participated in and occasionally won couples bowling tournaments. During his service years, he often was on the ship's bowling team and even won the Pacific fleet tournament when he was assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk. His impressive bowling prowess was perhaps highlighted the most when he bowled a near-perfect game of 299 in 1970, attesting to his skill and dedication to the sport. After retirement, his penchant for woodworking and tinkering in his garage showcased his hands-on talents and creative spirit. Later in life, he also found joy in reading old westerns and Southwestern mysteries, with notable favorites among authors such as Louis L'Amour and Tony Hillerman.

Mark's commitment to his Catholic faith and community service was exemplified by his remarkable volunteer efforts at St. Alice Catholic Parish in Mountainair, New Mexico, where he managed the office/rectory on and off for 20+ years.  This included coordinating weekend Masses and sacraments for the parish and its multiple small mission chapels with visiting retired priests, as the Diocese faced many years of a lack of available resident priests. His hospitality and generosity were evident as he and Sally hosted each visiting priest for meals and conversation, embodying the spirit of humble service that defined his life.  This made a great impression on his son Justin, who still remembers many of those priests and learned what it meant to truly serve the Church.

He leaves behind his cherished family: his son Justin Muzzy and daughter-in-law Roseanne (Rosie) Muzzy; his brother-in-law Gene Brandstatter and sister-in-law Margaret Brandstatter; nieces Paula Chavez-Talley, Marie Koch, Gigi Mauldin, Susan Wood, and Karen Webb; and nephews Micheal Joyce, Peter Muzzy, and Louis Chavez Jr.; five (soon to be six) beloved grandchildren (Elise, Emily, Marcus, Lillian, and Maximilian Muzzy); and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Marcus M. Muzzy Sr.; mother, Doris B. Muzzy (Chapman) of Gray, Maine; brothers Clyve, Theodore, Henry, George, and Carlton Muzzy; sisters Mae Muzzy, June Thurber, and Carol Joyce.

As we remember Mark’s remarkable life and the quiet, but indelible impact he made on those around him, we take solace in the knowledge that his legacy will persist through the Godly virtues he instilled in his loved ones. We honor a life lived generously and faithfully, full of love, laughter, and quiet strength—a life that will be forever cherished and remembered.