Mark Alan Smilek, 50, of Brighton Township, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospice, Heritage Valley – Beaver.
Born on March 23, 1973, in New Brighton, he was the son of Robert Smilek and Arlene (Frederick) Ciccone.
Mark was a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, where he was a member of the Pentagon Protection Defense Force. He was a valued member of the Beaver Valley community as he served as a Police Officer for Sewickley Borough Police Department, Baden Academy SRO, as well as Chief of the Ohioville Police Department. He was a proud member of the Beaver Valley Chiefs of Police Association, Pennsylvania Association of School Resource Officers, the NRA, and the Steel Valley Lodge. Mark was an outdoorsman, having been an avid hunter and fisherman.
In addition to his parents, Mark is survived by his loving wife of 8 years, Dr. Hilary (Miller) Jones; stepdaughters, Gwendolyn and Meredith Jones; his sisters, Tammy (Duane) Popham and Adrienne (Walter) Miller; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends throughout the Beaver Valley.
Mark was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Floyd and Stella Smilek; and maternal grandparents, Robert and Freda Frederick.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 12th from 2PM to 7PM at the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., Chippewa Township, 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.
A Blessing Service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, January 13th at 11AM with Fr. Kim Schreck as celebrant.
Interment will follow in Beaver Cemetery.
Mark’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Dr. Rafic Farah of Hillman Cancer Center, along with nurses Linda, Anna, Jules, and Sandy; his nurses at UPMC Shadyside, Stephanie, Tina, and Andrea; as well as his Nurse Practitioner, Densie Winfield.
In lieu of flowers, Mark’s family kindly requests memorial contributions be made in his name to www.reelrecovery.org