Mark Andrew Carpenter, of Gasport, NY, passed away suddenly on August 4, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 61 years old.

Mark was born in Buffalo, NY, on August 11, 1964, and was raised in Orchard Park, NY. He attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, where he earned an associate degree in Culinary Arts. It was there that he met his wife, Heidi L.B. (Baldwin) Carpenter, at a Christmas party. They married at 19 and 20 and shared 42 years together as best friends and partners in every sense of the word.

Mark worked as an award winning chef for many years before changing careers when his daughter, Leah, was born so that he could spend more time with his family. He went on to work as a maintenance technician and could repair almost anything, whether it was a car, machinery at work, something around the house.

Mark loved creating things with his hands. He and Heidi restored their 1850s home, with Mark doing much of the work himself. He found the same joy in working with wood and metal as he did in the kitchen. He was an exceptional cook, especially known for his soups, and loved experimenting with food and discovering something new to make.

Mark had a gentle nature and a kindness that was felt by everyone who knew him. He was intelligent, resourceful, and endlessly willing to lend a hand. At home, there was almost always music playing, with Mark whistling or singing along to the radio as he went about his day.

He loved camping, fishing, boating, classic rock, and finding interesting roadside discoveries. Camping was a part of his life from childhood, when he went with his father and siblings, and later became a tradition he shared with Heidi and Leah throughout their lives together.

Above all, Mark was devoted to his family. He was a loving and deeply involved father and husband who was always there for Heidi, Leah and Chris. Beyond his family, Mark gave his time, knowledge, and hard work freely to the people he loved and to anyone who needed him, without question or complaint.

Mark was the beloved husband of 42 years to Heidi L.B. (Baldwin) Carpenter and the loving father of Leah (Chris) Welch. He was the dear son of the late Andy Carpenter, survived by Pam, and the late Phyllis (Saunders) Carpenter; dear brother of Ann (Dan) Handy, Craig (Jill) Carpenter, and Susan (John) Alexander; and stepbrother of Collier Maxwell and Heather (Raphael) Chandler. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 12, from 4 to 7 PM at F.E. Brown Sons Funeral Home, 6575 E. Quaker Street, Orchard Park, NY, where a funeral service will follow at 7 PM.