Mark Charles Simmons

Mark Charles Simmons, 49, of Brooklyn, New York, sadly left us on October 28, 2022. Mark was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 22, 1972. He was the beloved son of Jim and Linda Simmons of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the loving father to Teddy and George Simmons, partner to Catherine Birch, and bonus parent to Sayer and Mason Birch. He is also survived by his sisters, Anna (Mike Waite) Simmons of San Anselmo, California; Jill (John) Spiegleman of Denver, Colorado; and Kate (Lanny) Rossman of Indianapolis, Indiana; and nieces and nephews, Owen, Griffin and Isabel Waite; Sam and Sophia Spiegleman; and Elsie, Maggie and Charlie Rossman; and countless family and friends from San Francisco, New York, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and elsewhere. Mark grew up in Cincinnati and was a graduate of Archbishop Moeller High School where he was a member of the Student Council and captain of the basketball team. He then attended Kenyon College where he graduated with a BA in Philosophy and Political Science. From a young age, Mark was an athlete – his parents kept his childhood trophies to prove it. He loved playing sports, watching sports, and encouraging his kids, nieces, and nephews from the sidelines. Each May, he made the trek to the Indy 500 to be with his dad and good buddies. He loved watching the Bengals and Reds, even knowing they would likely lose. Professionally, Mark cared deeply for his colleagues and always enjoyed a challenge. Most recently as an Executive Vice President of Marketing at Burrow and prior to that as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Design Within Reach. He worked tirelessly to help grow these brands and build demand. He had high expectations of himself and oftentimes of others. His determination and pride in his work led his whole family to purchase pieces from DWR and Burrow. Mark was an encouraging and loving father. His boys were his center and a source of great pride. His partner, Cat’s generous heart and unconditional love allowed Mark’s creativity to bloom. Mark and Cat had worked non-stop in the past year restoring an old – and now beautiful – Victorian home in Brooklyn. The home they created for their boys: Teddy, George, Sayer and Mason, was full of love, caring, and laughter. Mark had a strong moral compass guiding him to do the right thing even when it was hard. He had a habit of forgetting your birthday but always making you feel seen, heard, and special. His sisters will be forever grateful for his willingness to take on their mother’s landscaping projects or attend sub-zero sporting events with their father, so they didn’t have to. We will all miss his infectious smile, competitive spirit, unique laugh, warm hugs, and up-for-anything attitude. We will always hold him in our hearts. A memorial honoring Mark will be held for family and friends on December 4, 2022, from 12-3, at the Picnic House in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Tributes

Mark Charles Simmons

November 22, 1972 - October 28, 2022