Mark Edward Oczkowski, age 70, of Oxford, died at his home on Thursday, October 1, 2026. He was born on May 29, 1956, at Waterbury Hospital, the son of the late Edward and Agnes (Prokop) Oczkowski.
Oxford was always home. Mark lived away only twice in his life: once to attend the University of Connecticut, where he studied animal science, and once when he moved to Nebraska to further his education in agriculture. No matter where he went, he always wanted to come back home.
Mark had the soul of a farmer. He was happiest outdoors, raising animals, working the ground, and growing crops. Over many years he built Red Tail Ridge, his home and farm that he had dreamed of his entire life, and he built it with his own two hands.
At 28, Mark started his own company, Earthworks. He ran it for more than 42 years with hard work and a good name, and in his later years he ran it side by side with his son Luke. Working together every day was something he was proud of until the very end.
As he got older, Mark developed a passion for fishing. Every weekend he could get away, he was on the water off the coast of Rhode Island with his friends and family. Some of his best days were spent out there, line in the water, with the people he loved beside him.
Mark’s friendships ran deep and lasted a lifetime. Since they were boys, he and a close group of friends have called themselves “The 589.” They stood by each other through every season of life, and that bond never broke.
Mark was baptized at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford and was a member of the parish his entire life. He believed in the power of prayer.
But what Mark loved most was his family and his friends. He gave his life to one purpose: taking care of everyone else. Everything he built, he built for them. He will be missed every day, at the farm, on the water, and at every table he ever filled.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (Kozak); his sons, Matthew Oczkowski and his wife Molly, and Lukas Oczkowski and his wife Alexa; his grandchildren, Milena and Charles; his sisters, Debra Oczkowski and Katherine Gramolini (Gordon); many cousins and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mark was predeceased by his brother, Edward Oczkowski Jr., and his sister, Susan Oczkowski.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 4pm to 8pm in the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 W. Church St., Seymour, CT 06483. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10am DIRECTLY at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 733 Oxford Rd., Oxford, CT 06478. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mark’s name can be made to the Oxford Ambulance Assoc. or Oxford Center Fire Dept. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.hullfh.com