Mark Havill

Mark Edward Havill

81, of Penn Yan, New York, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025.

Born on July 25, 1943, Mark was the son of the late Edward and Margaret (Nassett) Havill. He grew up on the west branch of Keuka Lake at a time when it was much less developed than it is today. With his brothers Eric and Steve, he explored the woods, climbed trees, swam and walked across the frozen lake in the winter. He once made a sail and used it to skate the length of the west branch. That was the easy part. He had to skate back four miles against the wind.

After studying art at Syracuse University, where he became adept in painting, multimedia, and sculpture, Mark moved to New York City to work as a draftsman in a construction equipment firm. He then headed west to New Mexico, where he worked construction and met his first wife Shelley Gunn. She was a fan of his motorcycle racing; at the time he was riding a Norton. He raced flat track in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado.

In 1970, he and Shelley returned to Penn Yan to raise a family. At that time he worked for Walkerbilt Furniture. He soon established his own cabinet and furniture-making business. His woodworking is evident in multiple homes in the Finger Lakes region, and graces dozens of custom kitchens as well as numerous furniture pieces that are now enjoyed around the country. For Mark, every project was an opportunity to explore new approaches, different hardwoods, and inventive solutions.

In 1998, Mark married Wendy Simpson, who shared a contagious sense of humor in an easygoing household. Together, they enjoyed sharing in the lives of their children, and six grandchildren.

Mark was also a particularly lucky card player. He won several poker and blackjack tournaments over the years, and was an avid fan of horse racing. Anyone who knew him would also point out that he enjoyed the occasional “scratch-off” ticket.

From the 1960s until his passing, Mark was a prolific painter, producing hundreds of works of acrylic on canvas, and numerous proofs and sketches. Each one of his original paintings allowed his audience a glimpse into the unusual, colorful, and imaginative mind that created them. His children grew up with life-sized dinosaurs in the yard, made of concrete, and his grandchildren enjoyed handmade works of art for every birthday and holiday. Mark was a gentle, funny, brilliant artist, who lived life on his own terms. He had an easy nature, a curious mind, and a quick laugh.

In his final years, he spent a lot of time with his grandchildren, read many books, and never stopped painting.

Mark’s wife Wendy preceded him in death after 21 years together. Mark is survived by his brothers, Eric (Barbara) Havill of Branchport, NY and Steven (Kathleen) Havill of Datil, NM; children, Justin (Pamela) Havill of Victor, NY, and Joshua (Ami Wolfe) Havill of Hendersonville, TN, Tim (Jenny) Ellis of San Tan Valley, AZ, Tara (Matt King) Gray of Penn Yan, NY; and his grandchildren, Austin Gray, Morgan Gray, Joseph Barone, Hannah Havill, Matilda Havill, and Henry Havill; his niece and nephew, Laura (Curtis Myers) Havill and Aaron Havill, who will all miss him dearly. A celebration of Mark’s life will be held in the summer.

The Weldon Funeral Home of Penn Yan is assisting the family.