Mark John Jensen was born in New Haven, CT, on December 2, 1951, the second child of Kathryn Marie (Ogren) and William Aaron Jensen. He was a graduate of West Haven High School, where he excelled as an athlete on the tennis court and earned a letter jacket. During several summers of his teenage years, he worked on the farm of his maternal uncle, Kenneth Ogren, in Langford, SD. He had fond memories of his trip to Bethel, NY, in August 1969, to attend the Woodstock rock festival.
Reflecting his life-long interest in how machines work, he received vocational training as a mechanic in Providence, RI, and worked professionally as an auto mechanic and in cable television installation. This career was shortened by his battle with type 1 diabetes, with which he had been diagnosed at age 9. He lived for many years in Phoenix, AZ, where he obtained a degree in therapeutic recreation. In the early 1990's he returned to West Haven to help provide care for his ailing mother.
In 2000, he married the love of his life, Dulcie (Smith) Jensen and moved to Deep River, CT, where they spent many happy years, entertaining friends and family during Muster Weekend each summer, spending time with their grandchildren, and joining the nearby Swede's Club. Mark developed a passion for playing pool, loving both the physics and the camaraderie of the game. Most recently, he honed his pool skills with his buddies at the Vet's Club in Centerbrook, CT.
Throughout his life, Mark suffered from many diabetes-related disabilities, but he never lost his zest for living, his joy in good conversation, his hope for the future, and his love for his many friends and family members. Mark's ability to survive for more than 63 years with a life-threatening disease was made possible by his indomitable spirit, his wife Dulcie's watchful eye and loving care, and the medical care he received from his many healthcare providers at Yale-New Haven Health System. Mark is survived by his beloved wife Dulcie; sister Pamela Jensen, of Wayne, PA; brother Paul Jensen (David Walton), of Philadelphia, PA; step-daughter Cathy Smith (Pete); step-sons Jim Mezzanotte of Somerville, MA, and Chris Mezzanotte (Amy), of Ocean Isle, NC; cousins John Ogren, of Brooklyn, NY, and Karen Mikkelson (Denis), of Langford, SD. Mark also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren James, Christopher, Nicolas, Carter, Zach, Nathan, and Adriana, all of whom he loved beyond measure. He was pre-deceased by his parents and brothers Peter Jensen and Matthew Jensen.
When Mark died at home on April 10, 2024, he left a void impossible to fill. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
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