Mark Thomas Pobzeznik, 60, formerly of Tiverton

Mark Thomas Pobzeznik, 60, of Fall River, died peacefully Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, after a long illness.

Born in Davenport, Iowa, he was a son of Dr. Thomas W. and Barbara M. (Smith) Pobzeznik of Tiverton.

A 1975 graduate of Tiverton High School, he later attended the Rhode Island School of Electronics.

He was a service technician for Brisay, a German textile machinery company, that allowed him to travel to Germany, Mexico, Canada and throughout the United States for many years. He also worked for Smith Security and Security Specialists Alarm Co. installing alarm systems, and later for Advanced Sewing Machine, installing and repairing electronic equipment. He could engineer almost anything.

While in high school he worked at the former Jerry’s Gas Station on Stafford Road in Tiverton.

One of his lifelong passions was music and his keyboards. He played in a number of bands in the 1970s and 1980s, including Yullukx and The Boyz. He composed his own music for several decades, and played and practiced in a studio in a barn he helped build on his family’s property. His favorite artists were Emerson Lake and Palmer, and Yes. He never failed to play his mother’s favorite “Satin Doll” for her on the theatre organ in the living room whenever he visited.

A very gentle soul with a quick wit, he liked to cook, especially barbecue and clamboils, loved to vacation in Maine, camp, study astronomy,  spend summer days at East Beach in Westport, and root for the New England Patriots.

When he was young he would often fly with his father in his private plane, sometimes taking the controls, and relished his trip in an open cockpit plane over Greater Fall River. 

Besides his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Carol Ballon of Foxboro, and Marcia Pobzeznik-Flynn (Sean) of Tiverton; a brother, Stephen E. Pobzeznik of Tiverton, a brother-in-law, Hector Ballon of Tiverton; three nieces, Malena Ballon Hoefling (Scott) of New York, Marliese Ballon Carpentier (Brian) of Lakeville, his godchild, Sophie C. Flynn of Providence; a nephew, Matthew T. Flynn of Holland; a great-nephew, Xavier C. Hoefling; his long time companion, Donna Davenport of Tiverton, stepdaughter Meagan Davenport Medeiros (Mark) of Westport.

He was the grandson of the late Stephen K. and Lottie (Bronhard) Pobzeznik, and Imelda (Hamel) Smith Jackson and Ernest Smith.

His funeral was held on January 6 in Auclair Funeral Home, Fall River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Theresa Church,  265 Stafford Road, Tiverton, RI 02878.