Normally you would be reading Mark G. Auerbach’s Arts Beats column in this space. It would be filled with Mark’s views on local theater, music and the arts in general. He would highlight a small theater group — even a high school play — and include some famous actors sharing their talents for area summer theater programs. He would certainly include something from the Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Instead, this week, The Westfield News and Reminder Publishing staff is sad to share that Mark died May 2 following years of complications from diabetes.
“It is with profound sadness to announce the passing of Mark G. Auerbach, director of public relations and marketing for MOSSO — Springfield Chamber Players, which occurred on May 2. Mark devoted much of his time promoting MOSSO and live performances. He was a dear friend and colleague, who had an enormous impact on so many people in the arts. He will be greatly missed,” MOSSO announced via press release.
Mark’s own health struggles, which included a kidney transplant two years ago, inspired him to share the stories of others in a series he called Survivor Stories. Survivor Stories aired on his Arts Beat show on Westfield’s Community Programming Channel, available on the city’s cable access channel and YouTube. He hosted an Arts Beat show to continue his message about the thriving arts community in the region. Mark not only highlighted the arts and survivors, but periodically invited area high school students to participate in a show titled “What Young People Think” where young adults could share their views on school, politics, the economy, social issues and more
Survivor Stories included interviews with people Mark encountered who overcame life-threatening illnesses and surgeries. He was one of them for a long time.
By all accounts, Mark loved to honor others but was humble when it came to himself and his accomplishments, both personally and professionally. He did not want any fanfare surrounding his death and asked his good friend, Joel Morse, to release an obituary that Mark wrote himself.
Joel Morse and Mark Auerbach. (SUBMITTED)The Westfield News
“I’ve spent most of my professional life telling other people’s bios, so here’s my final chapter,” wrote Mark. “Mark G. Auerbach died on May 2 at the age Auntie Mame Dennis might have described as ‘somewhere in between 40 and death.’ I’ve lived with diabetes for decades, and eventually, diabetes won. On my life journey from Springfield to Longmeadow to Northfield Mount Hermon to Washington, DC; to New Haven, CT, back to DC, then to Houston; back to New Haven, to New York City, Miami; and ultimately back to Springfield and Longmeadow.
“I had a great time working for arts organizations, public radio, running my own company, and working as an arts reporter. There are many people I hope to see again at some point. I’ll be glad to be reunited with my parents and some close friends awaiting my arrival…Newman, Cole, Barrett, Beecher and Paquette.
“At my request, no funeral services. Remember me as you mentor others. Make other people laugh. Enforce the White Shoe Season rules. I will dearly miss my close pals Patrick, Joel, Chris, Jerome, Cassie, Amy, Miho, Bob, Sarah. Peter and Lydia, and Ben.
Mark shared parts of his health struggles via his Facebook page over the years. However, his close friends stated it was still a shock to learn of his death just a few days after Mark took the stage at 52 Sumner in Springfield for MOSSO’s Broadway performance, including his friend and fellow arts enthusiast Miho Matsuno.
Miho Matsuno and Mark Auerbach. (SUBMITTED)The Westfield News
Matsuno met Mark just a few years ago, but quickly formed a strong bond.
“On the suggestion of Steve Perry, a friend and colleague of mine and Mark, Mark generously offered to be the public relations and marketing director of MOSSO — Springfield Chamber Players, when the musicians founded the organization in 2021. Since then, I worked with Mark on creating press releases, email blasts, social media posts, etc. to promote MOSSO,” said Matsuno.
“Over time, Mark and I developed a close friendship, sharing our love (and distaste) for many of the same things and people. We had a tremendous amount of fun and laughs together, especially when our friend Doug Evans coined the term Mihomania,” said Matsuno. “Mark used that term and took it to a whole other level – a Mihomaniac is someone who meets the stringent requirements of being a member of my entourage; Mihomania Media is a production company that features the Mihomania Show, hosted by Mark and Patrick Berry; and anything else that Mark could think of incorporating Mihomania.
“My life will never be the same without Mark, particularly when I’m performing in Springfield. He made sure to spend time with me when I was there and talk regularly on the phone when I wasn’t. Regardless of where I was, Mark lifted me up, loved me unconditionally, and was my biggest fan. He is irreplaceable. I can only take comfort in knowing that he will remain in my heart and mind.”
Matsuno said she is in shock but will continue their friendship by “continuing the remarkable work he did for MOSSO, and I hope to keep his memory alive with the help of his many friends and colleagues. I will help MOSSO establish a concert(s) or event(s) to commemorate Mark, so stay tuned. I love you, Mark, and you’ll always be my one and only Mihomaniac.”
Mark was also known for his humorous takes on the rules of summer, specifically what he called White Shoe Season, posting comical memes and vintage photos of people in white shoes, noting that traditionally White Shoe Season begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. He was also known for his love of pool season at his condominium and often spoke about Table One at the pool where he would gather with friends in the summer.
His longtime friend Maureen Sullivan said he would be remembered every White Shoe and Pool Season and life will not be the same.
“I cannot imagine a world without Mark Auerbach,” she said. “He was the friend who could always make you laugh, the colleague who was always willing to give advice or make a connection. He was a wise mentor to so many young people who aspired to careers in public relations, the arts, or event management.”
Sullivan’s friendship with Mark spanned several decades.
“I met him in the 1990s when I was the marketing director at The Republican. The newspaper often sponsored the arts events he did public relations for. We served on committees together over the years, and somewhere along the way we became good friends,” said Sullivan. “When I left the newspaper in 2013 to start my own marketing, events and public relations agency, Mark was incredibly supportive. He often sent clients to me, and helped me build my media list. I could always count on him to promote some of my clients with an interview on his ‘On the Mark’ radio show or in his Arts Beat column.”
Sullivan said the arts community in western Mass was better for having had Mark as a passionate supporter through his Arts Beat column and his theater reviews.
“I am grateful that I was among Mark’s many friends. We will miss him dearly. I’ll especially miss our coffee dates, or as Mark called them, ‘glam caffeinations.’ ”
Another longtime friend, Joel Morse, met Mark through work and forged a friendship that lasted.
“Mark was a dear friend for over 20 years. We met while I was working in advertising and he was in marketing for different companies. We hit it off right away. He was a wonderful friend and we spent a lot of time talking about plays (especially our love for Hartford Theatreworks) and his unrelenting love for the Springfield Symphony and MSSO,” Morse said. “We laughed at all the craziness around us and relished in our friendship. We started our monthly coffee meetings, calling them our caffienation meetings. We would take pictures of each one and laughed about making a calendar! Mark was a gentle soul, bringing happiness and love to all who knew him. I will miss him dearly but cherish our close friendship. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much he loved my wife, Natalie as well.”
Although Mark did not want a funeral, he did note that any friends wishing to memorialize him with a contribution should make a gift to either Springfield Chamber Players (MOSSO) www.springfieldsymphonymusicians.com, Northfield Mount Hermon School nmhschool.org, “or the theatre of your choice.”
