Mark was born into an Air Force family on May 9, 1962, in Fort Fairfield, Maine. He traveled from Maine to Denver Colorado, Manchester New Hampshire, and finally in 1972, to Lompoc, California. He graduated from Cabrillo High School in 1980, and two years later from Allen Hancock College. While in college, to earn extra money he worked with some exotic chemicals that plated copper onto aluminum wire, a very unusual and difficult combination that would allow soldering of aluminum wire to components. As an electronic technician his talents required him to travel to parts of California and as far as Hawaii.

Mark was a charter member of the Queen of Angels Council #11465 of the Knights of Columbus, attaining a 4th degree status in this organization. Mark's hobby was astronomy. He had his own telescope that would lock onto planets in our solar system and thrilled us all with the view. Eventually he joined the Vandenberg Amateur Astronomical Society, a group who conducted amateur space research projects. Mark, along with other society members conducted "Open House" at the astronomy observatory located at Ken Adam Park. We were all in awe of the close up views of our planetary neighbors.

When Mark lost his ability to walk from Ependymoma and the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, he developed an interest in container gardening, computer activities and especially cooking. He loved trying interesting and new recipes. He was the family Chef. He liked to share recipes with others.

Mark passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sept. 29th at the Comprehensive Care Center.

Surviving family members are his wife, Janet M. Wittman, his daughter Tracy Wittman, his parents John F and Mary E Wittman, his sister Debbie Frank and her husband Kevin of Lompoc, his brothers Bill Wittman and his wife Betty of Manassas, Virginia and Ron Wittman and his wife Rosa of Lompoc and several Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mark was preceded in death by his great grandparents Frank and Alesandra Marotta of Fonda New York, his grandparents Cecil and Doris Arnold of Gloversville New York, and Emil and Anna Marie (Marotta) Wittman of Johnstown New York.
The visitation will be on Thursday, October 4, from 4 to 8 pm and the funeral service will be on Friday, October 5, at 10 am at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a college fund set up for Mark's daughter Tracy, or to your favorite charity to fight cancer.