ERIE, PA— Mark H. Cabisca, of Erie, PA passed away July 17, 2026 in Olean General Hospital following a sudden decline in health. A beloved father, his children stayed with him until his passing.

The third of six siblings, Mark was born April 17, 1964 in Batavia, NY, to David and Shirley Cabisca. He was the third of six children, with older siblings Tina and David, and younger siblings Robert “Bobbie”, Frank, and Donald “Donnie”. Mark grew up in Eldred, Pennsylvania, graduating from Otto-Eldred High School in 1982. After attending barber school in Erie, Pennsylvania, he moved to Olean, NY, where he worked at Perkins Restaurant. It was there he met his future ex-wife, Diana Cabisca, whom he married in 1986, before their separation and divorce in 2001, they had two children, Kaleb R. Cabisca and Kylee M. Cabisca.

During the marriage Mark moved to Erie, PA, where he worked at Taki’s Restaurant for around twenty years as their cook, a job he dedicated himself to and loved. His Taki’s family and customers meant the world to him; if he encountered a customer, he could recall their exact order, down to how crispy they liked their bacon. A diligent man, Mark almost never missed a day of work, even if his body told him otherwise. His tireless work ethic eventually caught up to him, and he was forced into early retirement due to a handicap.

Erie was a special place to Mark, and he dedicated himself to its communities when he could. An avid supporter of education, Mark was always involved in his children’s schools, and many teachers and parents alike may remember his presence at conferences or as President of the Parent Teacher Association. He dedicated himself to fundraising to ensure opportunities for students to have experiences they otherwise would not have.

Following his handicap, he refused to be idle. Mark threw himself into being involved with his beloved Erie community. He was an avid member of several senior groups in Erie and attended numerous craft shows and local events. He also dedicated himself to his fellow tenants at Tulio Towers, giving rides to and from stores, and decorating the building for holidays.

It can be easy to boil a life down to only the events within it, but Mark was also known for his carefree and fun personality. He loved music and singing, collecting owls, and taking long drives around Presque Isle. He had a joyful abundance of Christmas spirit, with a large collection of Christmas decorations and Santas. He also loved cooking at home for family and friends, even during his time working as a cook. There were times one had to wonder how he had all the energy, as even when he was tired or in pain, he was always on the go.

Another defining facet of Mark’s life experience and identity was his steadfast commitment to being a proud, openly gay man. Despite the ostracism and homophobia it received in the early 2000s, once he came out, he did not hide who he was: he had done so for 37 years, and would not be made to again. Even when his car was vandalized, he and his children were bullied for it, or people threw slurs at him on the street, he was still himself. He showed many people, even those suspicious of his identity, that at the end of the day, he was still just a father who wanted to raise his children, work hard, and did his best.

Mark Cabisca did not have an easy life. He had a hard one from his youth until the day he died. Despite this, he managed to remain happy through it all. Not much could get Mark down, even his intense chronic pain. Each year, he would eagerly await the Christmas season, decorating not only his apartment but the entire building, singing Christmas songs, and spreading holiday cheer. The Christmases in Erie will not be the same without him.

In October, 2025, Mark fell and hit his head, causing two brain bleeds. After many years of back surgeries, he was unsteady at walking, and sometimes fell, and these small falls finally caught up with him. Unlike everything else he had battled and won, the brain bleeds were an adversary he could not vanquish. Despite promising early days following the fall, mistakes were made that led to him not recovering as once was hoped. Eventually, to be closer to his children, he was moved to the Bradford Manor, in Bradford, PA, where he lived out his remaining days.

Those days were perhaps some of the hardest of his life. Mark was always fiercely independent, once even refusing to ask for directions while lost for several hours in Pittsburgh, and always insisting on doing things himself. He could no longer do that and required around the clock care. It was devastating for him to leave Erie, and more so to lose other parts of his life slowly over those months. In the face of all of this, he never gave up, believing through it all that he might improve enough to move home. It was a great tragedy that this was not a possibility.

Mark left an impact on many people, whether through direct contact, through stories about him, or through whatever project he had thrown himself into. He was not a person easily forgotten and will be fondly remembered by his family, friends, and community for years to come.

Mark is survived by his children, Kaleb and Kylee Cabisca, as well as his five siblings and their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Shirley Cabisca.

A memorial service or Mark will be held in Erie, Pennsylvania, on a date and place to be determined.

His remains and cremation have been entrusted to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Mark, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.