Mark Kresel Passes On
April 9, 2025
Mark Kresel
BALTIMORE, MD (USA)—Mark Kresel has passed away at 75 (b. 11/03/49) after battling a serious infection for several months.
He was a U.S. Marine from 1968-72. He always said: “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
His wish was to be cremated with a military ceremony. A celebration of his life will be held later this year, according to his daughter Jodi. He is survived by Robin, his wife of 52 years; two daughters, Jodi and Karen; Karen has two sons, Gavin and Max.
Kresel was a graduate of NYU Textiles School in 1977.
He was Vice President, Sales for Rockland Industries, a well-known drapery lining manufacturer based in Baltimore, MD which closed several years ago. He worked there for 51 years which is unheard of today!
Kresel was a philanthropist and raised money to buy toys for children for many years. He was an accomplished fisherman and landed more than one shark; hence the nickname, ‘Mark the Shark.’
Here are some comments from Mitch Brown, Kresel’s one-time colleague at Rockland:
“Mark was a dear friend, colleague, and brother of mine for 40 years. He was kind, generous, and always willing to help a friend and colleague. He was one of the best salesmen I ever knew. He loved people and people loved him and wanted to do business because of his sincerity, abilities to draw you close, and his kindness. He will be missed and there will never be another salesman like him in our industry. Rest in peace my friend!
—Mitch Bown, VP Sales, Hanes Industries Inc.
"Mark Kresel was part of the Rockland family for many years. I knew him not only as a great salesman but as a good friend. Mark had this uncanny ability to meet someone and immediately establish a rapport. You could depend on him for anything. He had a great attachment to the Marine Corps and served in a high capacity in his local unit as a retired member. Unfortunately, Mark suffered some big setbacks in his health, which just seemed to grow larger and larger. I spoke to him many times in the past couple years after my retirement. He always presented an upbeat attitude, and you could just sense the smile on his face. Mark was proud of his family and let everybody know it. I will miss Mark. I will miss him for many reasons, but mostly because he was a good soul. The world lost a great person in the passing of Mark."
—Stan Fradin, retired former president of Rockland Industries, Inc.
“As the publisher of Fabrics & Furnishings International, I knew Mark for over 35 years. He loved working with his hands and made and decorated many wooden birdhouses as gifts to his friends. He was extremely gregarious and built wonderful relationships with his friends and clients…to Mark, there really was no difference between friends and customers in his eyes.”
—Eric Schneider, Publisher, Fabrics & Furnishings International
“Mark was a such an important part of this industry. His charisma and personality set him aside. If he knew you, you were always his friend and could be certain a bird house was not far behind. “
—Brad Levy, former Rockland colleague now at Hanes Fabrics
He was a U.S. Marine from 1968-72. He always said: “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
His wish was to be cremated with a military ceremony. A celebration of his life will be held later this year, according to his daughter Jodi. He is survived by Robin, his wife of 52 years; two daughters, Jodi and Karen; Karen has two sons, Gavin and Max.
Kresel was a graduate of NYU Textiles School in 1977.
He was Vice President, Sales for Rockland Industries, a well-known drapery lining manufacturer based in Baltimore, MD which closed several years ago. He worked there for 51 years which is unheard of today!
Kresel was a philanthropist and raised money to buy toys for children for many years. He was an accomplished fisherman and landed more than one shark; hence the nickname, ‘Mark the Shark.’
Here are some comments from Mitch Brown, Kresel’s one-time colleague at Rockland:
“Mark was a dear friend, colleague, and brother of mine for 40 years. He was kind, generous, and always willing to help a friend and colleague. He was one of the best salesmen I ever knew. He loved people and people loved him and wanted to do business because of his sincerity, abilities to draw you close, and his kindness. He will be missed and there will never be another salesman like him in our industry. Rest in peace my friend!
—Mitch Bown, VP Sales, Hanes Industries Inc.
"Mark Kresel was part of the Rockland family for many years. I knew him not only as a great salesman but as a good friend. Mark had this uncanny ability to meet someone and immediately establish a rapport. You could depend on him for anything. He had a great attachment to the Marine Corps and served in a high capacity in his local unit as a retired member. Unfortunately, Mark suffered some big setbacks in his health, which just seemed to grow larger and larger. I spoke to him many times in the past couple years after my retirement. He always presented an upbeat attitude, and you could just sense the smile on his face. Mark was proud of his family and let everybody know it. I will miss Mark. I will miss him for many reasons, but mostly because he was a good soul. The world lost a great person in the passing of Mark."
—Stan Fradin, retired former president of Rockland Industries, Inc.
“As the publisher of Fabrics & Furnishings International, I knew Mark for over 35 years. He loved working with his hands and made and decorated many wooden birdhouses as gifts to his friends. He was extremely gregarious and built wonderful relationships with his friends and clients…to Mark, there really was no difference between friends and customers in his eyes.”
—Eric Schneider, Publisher, Fabrics & Furnishings International
“Mark was a such an important part of this industry. His charisma and personality set him aside. If he knew you, you were always his friend and could be certain a bird house was not far behind. “
—Brad Levy, former Rockland colleague now at Hanes Fabrics