ALUMNI NEWS
Mark W. Biscoe celebrated at memorial event
— BY LAURIE O’NEILL
“He was a true shaper of the best habits of body and mind.” “He loved, lived, and breathed Fenn.” “He was the guiding light in my life.” ON AN EARLY AUTUMN EVENING
this past fall, their words floating over the sun-dappled field in front
of the Farm House and continuing until the shadows lengthened and dusk settled over the campus, several members of the extended Fenn community offered heartfelt tributes to the late Mark W. Biscoe H’95. It was a fitting spot in which to celebrate Mark—teacher, coach, advisor, and mentor to countless alumni for thirty-seven years, and friend to former and current faculty and staff. Mark remained closely connected to Fenn after his retirement in 1995 until his passing in December 2020. Mark and Jane once lived in the Farm House and their children played on that field. He began serving as a dorm parent in 1958 and two years later he was joined by his new bride, Jane. For the next sixteen years they tended their brood of young boarders, many of whom
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cherish the memories of the kindness and care the couple showed them. Among the speakers at the October 1 event were Mark and Jane’s children Kate Biscoe Turlo, Mark Biscoe Jr. ’74, and Andy Biscoe ’79. Also presenting were Bob Albright ’81 and his mom, Jo; Matt Boger ’89; David Cohen ’89; James Owens ’72; Geoffrey Smith ’62; and Bob and Kathy Starensier. Jane, who sported a blue and gold Fenn cap while greeting guests before the program began, watched and listened from the first row with other family members, all of them deeply touched
by the tributes. Head of School Derek Boonisar welcomed guests, some of whom were at Fenn for Alumni Reunion and Homecoming. “Mark inspired literally thousands of students and colleagues to be their best selves,” Derek said. He noted that the 1995 yearbook was dedicated to Mark, and in the dedication were comments such as “He is the heart of Fenn and what it stands for” and “When he leaves he will take part of Fenn with him.” Kate Biscoe Turlo remembered her father’s “great sense of work and
