Mark E. Wilson, age 74, of Wilmington, Delaware, died March 17, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Mark graduated from Mount Pleasant High School, Class of 1969. He was a First Team All-State football player and wrestler in high school and played in the Delaware Blue-Gold game his senior year. He continued his football career at Wesley College, where he played for two years before transferring to the University of Delaware, graduating with a degree in business administration in 1975.
Mark was employed by the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District for 35 years, most of which was spent as the Transportation Supervisor for the District. He returned to school to further his education, earning a master’s degree from Wilmington University in 1989. During his long career in education, Mark also served in the roles of accountant and night school principal for the Wilmington Skills Center.
Mark was a Beach Boy and Boy of Summer through and through. He grew up enjoying the summers in Sea Isle City while surfing, sailing, and water skiing with his brother Gregg. He spread his love of summer to his children and grandchildren and tremendously enjoyed beach and pool time with his loved ones. He was proud to spend many years hosting his family on summer vacations to the Outer Banks. Mark was a talented chef, known for his breakfasts and family holiday dinners. He also enjoyed serving as a trusty co-pilot and ground crew supervisor for a hot air balloon piloted by his brother, Gregg.
As much as Mark enjoyed his leisure time, he was a devoted provider for his young family, working several jobs at a time as a snow plower and realtor. Mark was also a skilled craftsman and home remodeler. He built an addition on his first family home in Fairfax and completed countless other projects for and with his kids on family homes. Above all else, Mark was a devoted and loving husband for 48 years. Bonnie and Mark (or DiDi and Pop-Pop) were inseparable and had many adventures building their life together and traveling.
In his retirement years, Pop-Pop Mark was a permanent fixture at school events and especially sporting events for his grandchildren. He would often arrive as much as an hour in advance, preferably in his old Jeep with the top down, to ensure that he had the best seat possible. He doted on each of his grandchildren and ensured that he had special moments with each of them.
Mark was predeceased by his parents, Edward “E.J.” Wilson and Margaret “Peg” Wilson, and his mother-in-law, Barbara Vachris.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie; children Joshua Wilson (Stephanie) of Hockessin, Kara Grugan (Patrick) of Wilmington, and Kristen Araza (Andrew) of Santa Barbara, CA; brother Gregg Wilson (Michele) of Kennett Square, PA; grandchildren Brie, Oliver, Violet, Mae, Paddy, and William; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Monday, March 24, from 6-8 pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, with overflow parking available at the adjacent YMCA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered the following day, Tuesday, March 25, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803, at 11 am, with interment immediately following at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Mark’s name to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
