Mark Stanley Plakatoris

Mark Stanley Plakatoris of Bel Air passed away on Tuesday February 2, 2010, at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson. He was 82. His wife of 50 years, Janet, was with him when he peacefully went to be with his Father. He was blessed with many friends and a loving family and he will be missed.

Mark was born on August 23, 1927, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, son of the late Kostas and Dora Plakatoris, who emigrated to America from the Greek island of Chios. He spoke both Greek and English fluently.

In 1944, Mark and his family moved to Baltimore, where he graduated from Patterson Park High School. A proud veteran, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1945, during World War II. After his military service, Mark attended St. Johns College, in Annapolis.

One of his passions was music. He was an accomplished tenor, taking voice lessons from Dr. Otto Ortmann, director of the Peabody Conservatory. Mr. Plakatoris had a beautiful singing voice and sang professionally in many venues, including singing the national anthem at Colt games, Pimlico race track, and boxing matches, and he sang at clubs in Baltimore. He sang in church choirs for over thirty years, and volunteered his time performing at local assisted living homes, with his friend pianist Gertrude Zvonar, until age 77.

Mr. Plakatoris was a leader and very active in his community. He was the first president of the Greek Orthodox Youth of America at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Baltimore. He was active in Boy Scouts of America and was scoutmaster troop 672 and troop committee chairman troop 952. Mark served as president of his community homeowners associations.

Until his death, he was an active member of the Bel Air Lions Club for 35 years, was past president, and a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for dedicated humanitarian services. Mark was the proud co-founder, along with his friend William A. Humbert, of the Bel Air Flag Day celebration, which has been an annual event since 1974.

Mr. Plakatoris was retired from the United States Postal Service, with 35 years of service. He served as Postmaster Bel Air, Maryland from 1974 until 1989. He was proud to be part of the community, and built many long-term relationships during his lifetime in Harford county.

Mark is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet. They enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, playing bridge, taking day trips, and spending time with their family and friends. He is also survived by a son, Dan and his wife Cathy, who Mark loved like a daughter. He adored his three granddaughters, Michelle, Kim, and Lauren, all of Forest Hill. He attended their sporting events and school performances and was always interested in their lives. His final words in every conversation with his son were always "kiss the girls."

Mark is survived by his sister Angie and her husband Jim, of Bel Air, and numerous loving nieces and nephews and other relatives. He was predeceased by his brothers; Steve, Mike, and Nick.

Contributions may be made to Bel Air United Methodist Church 21 Linwood Avenue Bel Air MD 21014 or Gilchrist Hospice Care 555 W. Towsontown Blvd. Towson MD 21204.