Mark Kenneth Stevens

He was born in Concord, NH, on March 14, 1967, to Alan and Rosemary (Maloney) Stevens. He grew up in the White Park neighborhood and being an active kid, was always involved in sports, ranging from Little League baseball, to hockey in the Concord Youth Hockey League.

Once, when he was young, he charged his sister's friend a quarter to put her half-eaten candy bar in the freezer, then when she wanted him to get it back, he demanded another twenty-five cents, only to return with the empty wrapper. For this he was given the nickname Mooch, and this name stuck with him his whole life.

He attended Bishop Brady High School, where he continued to play hockey and joined the football team. He was part of the team that won the state championship and, in 1985, was nominated to the NHIAA Division III All-State Football team as a nose guard, even though he only weighed 140 pounds. He got a lot from his time at Bishop Brady, but easily the most important thing coming from his time there was he met the love of his life, Suzanne Shaw. They both fell in love immediately and were inseparable. They graduated in 1985, attended Plymouth State College together and, in 1995, they were married. Together they had two sons, Connor and Derek, who were without a doubt his pride and joy.

Having a wide variety of talent and an incredible work ethic, Mark was employed at a number of different companies over the years, working for a long time at Pitco Frialator in Bow, and most recently LSNE in Manchester. But work was never the most important thing in his life. Mooch’s true passion was always his family, constantly putting his wife and children ahead of everything else. He enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them, whether it was playing golf with his sons or spending time with his wife at their favorite place, York Beach in Maine. He also spent many years coaching his sons’ various youth sports teams. Drawing from his own experience as a young athlete, he was a wealth of knowledge for the many organizations he worked with and served as a role model to all the kids he coached.

Mooch could be a role model to adults as well. An avid New England sports fan and Patriots season ticket holder for many years, he applied his love for football to the Capital City Football League, his fantasy football league that he participated in with his friends for close to 20 years. Here he acted as the league’s commissioner, organizing and regulating the game, often solving disputes between grown men who were probably acting more like children than they cared to admit. Any one of them would tell you that he was the reason the league lasted as long as it has.

The irony of his nickname is that he wasn’t a “Mooch” at all, in fact he was just the opposite. Mooch gave so much of himself to those he loved and cared about. He was an extraordinary human being, liked by everyone he met. He had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and make others laugh as well, and wherever he went, he touched people’s lives with his infectious smile and kind heart. When times were tough, he seemed to get stronger pushing through adversity all the while caring for those he loved.

He probably believed he was an ordinary man, but he truly was the epitome of what a good man should be. His greatness cannot be summed up in this short summary of his life, rather it would take years to write his biography, to capture all he was to so many people. But one fact is certain, if we could all be just a little more like him, the world would be a much better place.

Mark is pre-deceased by his mother Rosemary (Maloney) Stevens, and his father Alan Bruce Stevens. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and soulmate, Suzanne (Shaw) Stevens, and his two sons, Connor and Derek Stevens, who are his pride and joy. Mark is also survived by his siblings Kim Benton and husband Sam of Concord, Lynn Blanchette and husband Peter of Canterbury, and Bill Stevens and wife Denise of Loudon. Mark is also survived by his father-in-law David Shaw of North Carolina, his mother-in-law Linda Shaw of Laconia, and brother-in-law Kevin Shaw and wife Lisa of South Carolina. Mark was adored by several nieces and nephews: Justin, Molly and Ashley Blanchette; Tyler and Brady Benton; Josh and Ryan Stevens; and Tianna Shaw. They all considered Uncle Mooch to be their favorite uncle. He will be dearly missed by all and never forgotten.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main Street, Concord, NH. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at 11:00 AM, also at Bennett Funeral Home. Following the service, a reception will be held in Mark’s honor at Beaver Meadow Golf Course, 1 Beaver Meadow Drive, Concord, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mark’s name may be made to the Belmont High School Basketball Program, Belmont High School, 255 Seavey Road, Belmont, NH 03220.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord.