Mark Joseph Broccardo, 61, a longtime resident of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, January 10th, 2019 at St. John's Hospital.

Mark, the beloved first-born son of Marcel and Nancy (Vespa) Broccardo, entered this world on May 22, 1957. Mark was born and raised in Springfield, IL. He graduated from Little Flower Grade School and Griffin High School.  Mark held a variety of jobs during his lifetime—from Heritage House waiter to print shop manager—but the job he loved most of all was working side by side with his baby brother, Steve, as a Tree Buster.

Mark's unconditional love for his family will always be remembered.  Family gatherings will never be the same without Mark scooping up plates of leftovers for himself, his neighbors, or his cat Ozzie. Mark spent many evenings with his Dad and Second Mom, Terri, enjoying the benefits of their dinner table. Mark was the best big brother a girl could ask for. Michele will miss his old-grumpy-brother love, along with his non-stop teasing, commiserating with him about his lottery losses, and his hilarious updates from Springfield.  Mark was a favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews in the Broccardo clan and our extended families. Their favorite "Uncle Mark stories" are endless. Each of them knew Uncle Mark would be there any time they needed him.

Mark's friends will surely miss his kind, compassionate heart, and his funny escapades.  Mark was always the first person to send a goofy text to cheer you up when you were having a bad day, the first person to volunteer his back muscles and his truck to help you move, the first person to pick you up if you needed a ride (accompanied with his dashboard drumming). Mark would give you his last dollar if you needed it.

Mark is joining in Heaven his mother, Nancy (Vespa) Broccardo, his brother, Steven Marcel Broccardo, his paternal grandparents, Alfred (Cub) and Catherine (Nene) Broccardo, his maternal grandparents, Mike and Irene Vespa, his sister-in-law Connie Broccardo, his cousin Ricky Welch, and his dearly missed dog, Barney.

Mark is survived by his father Marcel (wife Terri), his sister Michele, his nieces and nephews, Jason (wife Lisa), Gabriella, Aija, Corinna (husband Brandon), Dante, Alexandria, his great-nieces and nephews, Olivia, Elliot, Ian, Ava, Makayla Grace and many more treasured aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mark was an "original space cowboy, a gangster of love, a grinner, a lover, a sinner, a joker, and a smoker...always playin' his music in the sun".

We will celebrate Mark's life on Sunday, January 27th, 2019, 1:00 pm—4:00 pm, with a prayer service and Eulogy at 1:30 pm.  His celebration will be held at Erin's Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second Street, Springfield lL.

Mark's family suggests sending memorial contributions in Mark's memory to The Prairie Heart Foundation, Prairie Heart Institute. https://prairieheart.org/giving/donate/