Mark James Poopor

Mark James Poopor, of Dalton, passed away on June 5, 2021.
Born in Akron, Ohio, on March 21, 1945, he was the son of the late Edmund M. and Mary E. (Hoctor) Poopor. Mark was raised in Dalton, MA, where he attended Dalton schools, graduating from Wahconah Regional High School in 1963. He went on to receive a B.A. from Boston College in 1967, and returned to the Berkshires to raise a family and begin a lifelong career (1967 to 2002) teaching math at Pittsfield's North Junior High School, renamed Reid Middle School.
A standout athlete in Dalton and at Wahconah, Mark was the first Wahconah basketball player to score over 1000 points, a feat repeated a generation later by his son Keith. Mark played freshman basketball and was a pitcher for the Boston College baseball team. He also managed B.C.'s nationally ranked varsity basketball team, coached by the legendary Bob Cousy. Post college, Mark briefly coached J.V. baseball at Pittsfield High School under Buddy Pellerin, as well as women's softball. An accomplished swimmer, Mark was a head lifeguard at Dalton's public swimming areas, Duncan Brook and the American Legion Pond, and privately volunteered his time teaching many how to swim. He officiated youth and interscholastic games for many years in the county. He was active in local fast and slow-pitch softball, playing in tournaments all over New England. In later years, he pursued additional interests in both hunting and golf. Mark was recently inducted into both the New England Basketball and the Dalton C.R.A. Athletic Halls of Fame.
Having spent many summers working for Quirk's Marine and boat rental business, Mark acquired a knack for small engine repair. He enjoyed many summers camping with his family and always made time to attend his children's and grandchildren's events and athletic contests. Together with his teaching colleagues, he also made several excursions to historic Civil War battlefields.
Mark is survived by his wife, Jean (Franklin), with whom he was married for nearly 51 years, three children, Keith (Sharone), Shana (Aaron Crow), and Jeffrey (Caseyanne), and eight extraordinary grandchildren. He is also survived by three siblings, Dennis, Brian (Susan), and Anne Marie, and three brothers-in-law, Robert (Peggy), Mark (Lynne), and Meyer (Cindy).
Services will be private and a Celebration of Mark's Life will take place at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made payable to "Wahconah Warrior Booster Club", to the "Dalton Fire Dept." or to the "Dalton Police Dept." for their unwavering support of community and families, particularly ours, and may be mailed to the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home at 40 Maplewood Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201.