WILMINGTON — Mark Douglas Zenobia, age 77, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, NC.
He was born on June 19, 1947, in Summit, NJ, to the late Douglas Marcus Zenobia and Jeanne Corbin Zenobia.
In addition to Summit, NJ, Mark also lived in Tom’s River and Clark, NJ and recently in Wilmington for the past 15 years. He is an Episcopalian and attended Holy Cross Episcopal Church on Myrtle Grove Road. Mark served his country in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and is a Purple Heart recipient.
He began his career in Sales but developed an interest in running in the early 90’s. Mark joined the Central Jersey Roadrunners and the rest as they say is history. He had always wanted to be self-employed and with very little pushing decided he would develop races for organizations and non-profits to use as fund-raising tools. Thus began a 30+ year business. Mark was surrounded by great clients and staff and enjoyed every minute of it. One of his major events was the “River to Sea Relay” which he developed with a partner, Dan Brannen. The race was held in August and developed into a team building exercise tool. Originally started with six teams, it grew in popularity to 140 seven-person teams starting in Milford, NJ and ending in Manasquan, NJ at the ocean.
As rewarding as this career was, his true passion was The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Over 17 years ago, Mark was asked to be the marathon/fund raising coach for Team Reeve. Over the years, he has coached over 900 marathon runners and formed many special relationships with them. Mark was also just as passionate about his church. Finding Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC, became his salvation. Within the framework of the church, Mark was very involved in the Cursillo and Ultreya programs.
Mark is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Anne (Kinler) Zenobia; brother, Keith Zenobia and wife, Sylvia, of CA; and nephews, Kyle Kinler (also his godson) and wife, Casey, Korey Kinler and wife, Heather.
To view a Star News article written about Mark in 2022 please click here.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in memory of Mark may be made to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation or to Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Myrtle Grove or to ALS United North Carolina.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
