Honoring the Life and Legacy of Mark Cass
A Statement from CNY ON-RAMP, Inc. and the ON-RAMP Community Advisory Committee
It is with profound sadness, and with hearts full of gratitude, that CNY ON-RAMP, Inc. and the ON-RAMP Community Advisory Committee pause to recognize and celebrate the life, legacy, and enduring contributions of Mark Cass—a beloved community leader, a tireless advocate, and a founding member of our Community Advisory Committee.
Mark was, in every sense of the word, a pillar. From his years of dedicated service at Pro Literacy and Northside, to his unwavering commitment to the people of Syracuse and Central New York, Mark showed up fully, warmly, and without condition.
He was not merely a champion for one community or one cause; he was there for everyone who called upon him. A true Community Builder in the deepest sense.
Those who were fortunate enough to know Mark will tell you the same thing: The first thing you noticed was his smile. His laughter. His ability to walk into any room and immediately make every person in it feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
He was a unifier, someone who did not draw lines between communities but instead devoted himself to empowering the whole of Syracuse and Central New York.
As a founding member of the ON-RAMP CAC, Mark understood our mission deeply and personally. He grasped, with clarity and conviction, that meaningful preparation is the bridge between potential and opportunity. That the individuals we serve deserve not only a chance, but a champion.
He brought that conviction to every meeting, every conversation, and every collaboration. He was a positive force of energy who contributed meaningfully when he spoke, and who eagerly raised his hand whenever the question was asked: Can you help?
What made Mark remarkable was not only his dedication to the organizations he served, but the quiet, steady, and profound way he showed up for individuals. He mentored. He encouraged. He welcomed the newcomer, remembered the names of the people you loved, and left impressions that lasted years.
He was blunt when the moment called for it, and loving always.
Up until his very final days, he continued to attend advocacy meetings, follow up on action items, and pour himself into the work he loved.
Mark’s passing was sudden and unexpected, and the weight of that loss is felt deeply across our organization and across this community. But we take comfort in knowing that the legacy he built, through every connection made, every door opened, and every person lifted, does not end with him. His spirit, his heart, and his work remain alive in the community he loved so dearly.
To Mark’s family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his life: we see you. We grieve with you. And we commit to honoring his memory by continuing to do the work he believed in—preparing, connecting, and empowering the people of Central New York, just as he did every single day.
“He was there for everybody when anybody called him. He was just a true Community Builder, quietly and silently, but always there.” – Deka Eysaman (CAC Member), Executive Director, South Side Community Growth Fund
Rest in peace and power, Mark Cass. You will be forever missed and never forgotten.
