Mark R. Kelsey

Mark succumbed to a long illness on Wednesday July 16, 2026. He was a life-long resident of the Capital District ultimately settling in Westerlo. He was a 2001 graduate of the North Colonie School System, later he attainted his bachelor’s degree from now Siena University.

He had two loves of his life, his career at St. Peter’s Hospital and his family and close friends. Mark began in his career at St. Peter’s through volunteerism as a teenager and eventually became a patient care assistant, information associate and ultimately a registered nurse. Cardiology was literally in his blood, proudly following in the footsteps of his mother, into the cardiac units. Serving under his mentor, Christine Gosstola, he was employed as a cardiac catherization nurse, later becoming a nurse manager on 4 McAuley. He completed his career with St. Peter’s as the intensive care unit nurse manager. He was always bragging about how proud he was of his employees, or “his kids” as he called them.

His second love included his immediate family, where he is survived by his parent E. Peter and Norine Kelsey, brother and sister-in-law P. Christopher and Erica Kelsey, and his god children, nephew Timothy and niece Hanna Kelsey. The time spent traveling as a family were some of his fondest memories. As important was his extend family including his aunts, uncles and cousins. The family gatherings with aunts Debbie (Dave) Leonardo, Johanne Krause, Patti (Greg) Jensen, uncle John (Kristy) Weissenburger and cousins Gregory (Heather) and Amanda Leonardo, Patrick Krause, Taylor and Nicole Zelka, Jax and Linc Weissenburger and Brynnley Leonardo were always an experience. His family included his “children” dogs, Molly, Bizzy and Nala. His best friends Jurian Craig and Hannah Praus were by his side cheering him on and holding his hand all the way to the end.

Mark was extremely lucky to find another family that embraced him as one of their own. Edward and Pamela Yakel, their children, Francis, Mark’s separated husband, Michael (Brittany), Trina (Bart), Lacey (Jared), and Steven (Brittany) along with the 11 grandchildren were as close as if they were blood relatives. He was elated to be the god father to Kennedy Karl and Blake Schanz.

The family want to thank the exceptionally special staff on 4 South at the Eddy’s Heritage House in Troy for their care of Mark and his family over the last few months.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mark’s family on Wednesday July 22, 2026 from 5 to 8 pm at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Avenue, Colonie, NY. A time for sharing and remembrance will begin at 7:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the St. Peter’s Foundation, 315 South Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208, or at www.givetostpeters.org/donate. To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.CannonFuneral.com