Irving Marks, 94 years young, passed away peacefully at Berkshire Medical Center on February 27, 2023.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on December 10, 1928 to Julius and Adele Markowitz and worked with his father in the Fulton Fish Market as a young man. He convinced a customer who was in the textile industry to hire him for free for a year in order to learn the business. He did so well that he went out on his own and founded I. Marks Textiles where he had great success for more than 60 years.
Irving was one of a kind and lit up every room he entered. He attended college at age 42, graduating cum laude. He played all sports, but tennis was his main sport and he was a ferocious player. He fell in love with the Berkshires when visiting his two sons at camp. He weekended there for over 40 years until he and Alice settled permanently in Lee.
He adored classical music, Tanglewood, Gilbert and Sullivan, searching for antiques, auctions, all jokes, and was a brilliant bridge player. At the end of his life, he was confined to a wheelchair as a result of contracting Gillian-Barre. He hardly complained and maintained a great disposition and outlook. He was blessed with a long, happy life, a loving family, and many close friends. If you met him, you never forget him, and he will be greatly missed.
Irving is survived by his wife, Alice Nathan; her children, Russ and Lisa; and her grandchildren, Emilia and Ben. He is also survived by his first wife, Mindy, and their children, Dan, Anna, and Alexis. He was preceded in death by his son, Paul.
A private family service was held in early March, and a memorial service will take place this summer. Donations in Irving’s memory may be made to Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, 104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA 01240. To send remembrances to the family, please visit the website of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home.
