Mark D. Dempsey
April 19, 1976 - March 9, 2016
Mark D. Dempsey died at OHSU at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 9.
Mark was born at Albany General Hospital to Chung Cha and Robert L. Dempsey of Albany. Mark attended St Mary's Catholic School and South Albany High School. Mark was in the Boy Scouts of America Troop 99 and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout and an addition three palms and the Religious Service Award. The project he chose for his Eagle Project was the Boat Ramp at Waverly Lake in Albany working with Dave Clark, then Director of Parks. He was a member of St Mary's Church and served as an altar boy, acolyte. Mark was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mark attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and graduated in 2000. After graduation Mark returned to Albany and worked for the State of Oregon in the Historical Homes Preservation Program. He also worked for FEMA during the Katrina storm as a Logistic Coordinator in Washington, D.C., until 2006. He was first diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) at OHSU at the age of 30.
Mark then remained in Albany and worked at several local businesses in Albany and lastly as a cook at JP's in downtown Albany before it was closed. Mark loved to cook and would often cook for his friends just as a "treat." He loved conversation and laughter and just being with friends. Mark would drop what he was doing at any time and help a friend if he could, if not he gave moral support.
In 2013 Mark returned to OHSU due to the escalation of the CHF and was place on the LVAD program (Left Ventricular Assist Device) Returning to Albany again, Mark remained as active as he could with family and friends. In the years since 2013 he made many trips to Portland to see doctors and check the progress of his living with an assist device. Mark was an advocate for the program and made some public interviews on radio and TV as well as the Albany Democrat-Herald. Mark always tried to promote the Organ Donator Program and the Heart Foundation. He would sometime visit the nurses at the cardiovascular units of the hospital, just to say "hi" but would talk to anyone about the LVAD.
Mark was an outgoing guy, with a big heart! All his friends and those that knew him will truly miss him. Mark was visited by many friends on the day before his passing and received his last rights (Catholic). Mark died at OHSU Hospital just 40 day short of his 40th birthday. He was surrounded by his parents and family and friends. He passed peacefully.
Mark was the youngest son or Robert and Kim Dempsey of Kailua Kona, Hawaii/ Albany He had one brother, Robert, sister-in-law Gayla, nephew Robert Jr., and niece Taylor, all of Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
Memorial Contributions may be made to OHSU Cardiovascular Institute. A private family ceremony will take place in Kona.