NORWICH – Mark Stephen Rice, 87, of Pompano Beach, Fla., formerly of Norwich and Eaton, passed away Friday, March 16, 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Born on Nov. 28, 1919 in Philadelphia, he was the son of John and Anna McDonough Rice. Mark and his family moved to Norwich in 1929 where he attended St. Paul’s Parochial School. He continued his education at Morrisville College, receiving a degree in Animal Husbandry. Mark served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was at the first invasion of North Africa. He was wounded in action and discharged on Sept. 24, 1943.
On Dec. 18, 1943, he married Ruth E. Miller at St. Paul’s Church in Norwich. Mark was employed by the Chenango Highway Department for a short time and he and Ruth lived in Norwich until 1945. Moving to Hatch Lake, they operated a poultry farm and Mark was a rural mail carrier out of the local Eaton post office. In 1954, they opened Rice’s Dairy and Snack Bar in Hamilton, and operated it until 1982. After selling the business, they moved to Florida. Ruth predeceased him on Nov. 10, 1987.
Mark was a member of St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Norwich; St. Mary’s Church in Hamilton, and St. Henry’s Church in Pompano Beach, Fla. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans; the Veterans of Foreign Wars #2782 of Norwich; the American Legion in Norwich; and the B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1222 of Norwich.
Mark is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Deanna Rice of Sherburne; two grandchildren, Tammy Rice and her husband Mark Mattot of Norwich; Todd Rice of Sherburne and his fiancée Barb Arcuri; two great-grandchildren, Kory and Kayla Rice; a sister-in-law, Betty Rice of Norwich; a brother-in-law, Jerry Weaver of Norwich; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a grandson, Timothy Rice in 1986; his brothers, John, Paul and Hugh, and sisters Anna Rice Stratton, Ruth Rice Weaver and Rose Rice Coleman.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday from St. Mary’s Church, Wylie St., Hamilton with Rev. Msgr. John R. Madden as celebrant.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hamilton.
There will be no calling hours.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimers’ Association of CNY, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad St., Hamilton.