Mark James Morena

Mark James Morena passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family on Friday, June 5, 2026 after bravely fighting a three year battle with lung cancer. Mark was born on April 12, 1964 to Richard and Betty (Gates) Morena. He grew up in Canton, Ohio where he attended Lake Cable Elementary School, Jackson Middle School and was a 1982 graduate of Jackson High School. During his childhood years he loved playing baseball and football, but it was golf that became his passion. He loved golfing as a young boy with his grandfather, father and brother, then during his teen years on the high school team and later as an adult with his many friends at Brookside Country Club where he was a member since 1997. Two of his happiest days were the hole-in ones he made during his time there!

Mark graduated from Ohio University in 1986 and moved back home to Canton where he began work in real estate and then became a financial advisor. He volunteered his time in various organizations such as Junior Achievement, the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce and the Pro Football HOF, to name a few. On March 3, 2000 he married Jennifer (Harris) Morena and they happily spent the next 26 years together raising four wonderful children: Jonathan (Ilana), Alexander, Katherine and Benjamin. Mark’s children were his proudest accomplishment and he spent endless amounts of time with them. He was always there to listen and most importantly to make them laugh.

Mark was always known as “the kindest and nicest man you could ever meet.” He also had an amazing sense of humor and was never seen without a smile on his face. His family and friends will forever miss Mark Mo, but are comforted knowing that he is finally at peace. He is survived by his wife and children, parents Dick and Betty Morena, brother Denny (Mary Ann) Morena, in-laws John and Elaine Harris, brother in law Jonathan (David) and many loving extended family members. Mark’s family would also like to thank his wonderful doctors at the Cleveland Clinic: Dr. Marc Shapiro, Alexandria Jordan, Dr. Glenn Stevens, Dr. Grant Senyei and locally Dr. Michael Tirmonia. They are deeply grateful for their extraordinary care, support and encouragement which made a profound difference throughout his cancer journey.

Family and friends will gather on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at the Paquelet Funeral Home, Massillon from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Canton at 11:00am on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

in lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift in Mark’s memory to the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. Donations can be made online at https://give.ccf.org.