Krakower, Mark Irving, born March 28, 1960 in Clarksville, Tennessee, passed away suddenly at Huntington Beach Hospital on November 30, 2011 from complications following surgery.

He graduated Spackenkill High School, Poughkeepsie, New York, class of 1978 and attended The University of Miami.

Mark was the assistant manager of Krakower Fabrics in Poughkeepsie for 12 years. At one time or another he owned a restaurant in St. Croix and upholstery shops in Poughkeepsie and San Diego.

He loved to travel the U.S.A. and Europe and attended many "Running of the Bulls" in Spain, Tomato Festivals in Italy and the "Bandas" festivals in Belgium. He would often take his backpack and hike thru Europe, staying at hostels where he met new people, made new friends and experienced the flavor of new surroundings.

Mark loved racing his Ferrari and free-fall parachuting. He also loved to party and help his friends anytime the need arose. He enjoyed restoring exotic cars and scuba diving in the ocean off the Caribbean.

He is survived by his parents, Aaron and Helen Krakower of Sun City, Palm Desert, California, and two brothers, David Krakower of San Diego California and Robert Krakower of Huntington Beach, California. Mark was also the loving uncle of 4 nieces and a nephew, Jennifer, Nicole and Caroline Krakower of San Diego, California and Samantha and Nicholas Krakower of Huntington Beach, California. Mark is also survived by 2 uncles and an aunt, Dr. Leon Krakower and Marshall and Gwen Brenner, all of Poughkeepsie, New York; by several cousins, Eric and Stephen Krakower, Karin Albenda and Lori Sala of Poughkeepsie, New York, Scott Brenner of Danbury, Connecticut and Robin Fishburn of Dallas, Texas.

A memorial service and Interment will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 69855 E. Ramon Road, Cathedral City, California at 1:00 PM, December 19, 2011 to celebrate his life.

The family requests no flowers be sent and suggest that donations be made to: Best Friends Sanctuary at 500 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah, 94741 or online at Best Friends.Org.