Obituary of Mark R. Klausner

Mark R. Klausner, 68, passed away at home unexpectedly on December 2, 2023. 

He was born in Utica on April 26, 1955, a son of the late Bernard and Pauline (Williams) Klausner.  Mark was raised in Clinton and attended Clinton Schools.  He enlisted in the United States Army serving in Germany as a drummer with the military band.  He was united in marriage to Carol Gaffney on August 31, 1979, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Utica.  Mark served the City of Utica for 20 years with the Utica Fire Department, retiring as a Lieutenant.  He worked for La Galerie Rouge for many years and was a special part of the Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Home family. 

Mark was community-minded and loved his hometown of Clinton.  He was a devoted member of Clinton United Methodist Church, where he was the current Chair of the Church Council and their drummer for Sunday services.  Mark was a past Assistant Chief and proud member of Clinton Fire Department. He looked forward to volunteering at the Country Pantry on distribution days. Mark bowled in leagues for many years, loved to watch hockey and the Buffalo Bills, and meeting the guys for coffee club.  He was a strong-willed man with a soft heart and great sense of humor.  Animals held a special place in his heart, and he would have given a home to every stray cat or baby crow if he could.  Mark was a talented craftsman and a fussy painter. He loved music – especially old country music, not this new stuff. He had a passion for history and was a stickler for grammar and the whole system and structure of language.  Mark’s greatest joy was being “Big Papa” to his grandkids. 

He is survived by his wife Carol; two sons and daughters-in-law, Matt Klausner and Abby Drumm and Andy and Meghan Klausner; his grandchildren, Willard James and Amos Drumm Klausner, and Finley Moore and Hadley Jane Klausner; his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jane and Kerry Rogers; brother David Klausner; nephews, Daniel and Holly Rogers, Benjamin and Ashley Rogers, and Daniel and Gianna Klausner; his cousins, Richard Williams and Betty Ann Jones; his mother-in-law Patricia Gaffney; in-laws, Christine and Evan Pearl, Jack and Janice Gaffney, and Jim and Theresa Gaffney; many nieces and nephews in the Gaffney family; and many dear friends. 

All are invited to call Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 4-7pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College St., Clinton, NY.  A Memorial Service will follow at 7pm at the funeral home.  Clinton Fire Department honor call will be at 7pm prior to the service.  A private burial will be held for his family. 

In Mark’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Clinton Fire Department or St. Jude’s. 

Special thanks to the friends and members of the Clinton Fire Department, COCVAC, Kirkland Police Department and Owens-Pavlot & Rogers for their valiant efforts, professionalism and compassion.