Mark Richard Dunlevy

Mark Richard Dunlevy, born December 26, 1957, in Lancaster, PA, was the only child of Jean Marie Nicklaus and Jan Richard Dunlevy.  Mark departed the earth on January 29, 2026 after a short illness.  His wife, Elizabeth Kays and stepson Morgan Fitzpatrick survive him as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins from Lancaster, PA, New York, Virginia, France and Canada.

As a boy, sailing and swimming were his loves, and he won a countywide swimming championship in breaststroke while attending Mannheim Township High School. At age 14 he purchased an old Austin-Healy car and rebuilt it so that by the time he had a driver’s license, he had a radical driving machine, with wire wheels.  It was at this time that he developed skills in the printing business as well.

A lover of all water sports, Mark was a scuba diver and instructor, an accomplished snow and water skier, and later a dedicated sailor and fisherman. He claims to have learned windsurfing by reading a book.  He graduated from the University of Richmond in 1980 with a B.A. in Economics and Business (Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity). His first position after college was with the Book Division of National Geographic which he held until 1988. Later he served proudly as Production Manager at Regardies Magazine and later worked at Berryville Graphics.

Active in community leadership, he served as President of the Homeowners Association at Crofton Commons for three years. Later in life he served on the Town of Nags Head Citizens Advisory Committee.  Mark enjoyed being part of the leadership in Friends of Jockey Ridge State Park (NC).
He loved the daily newspaper and finishing crossword puzzles and driving the beach at Oregon Inlet to fish for drum. He earned NC citations for drum, tuna, and both white and blue marlin.  Mark’s curiosity led him to Alsace, France to meet members of the Grunenberger family, some of whom emigrated to the US.  He loved to tell the story of drinking coffee from bowls at the very table on which his Great-Grandfather’s legs were amputated following a horse-drawn sled accident.

In 1995 Mark moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to become a trim carpenter and a fisherman.  He worked for Outer Banks Homes with a crew that nicknamed him “Tetanus” for the ancient International Scout which he drove all summer as a convertible, donning foul weather gear when rain was falling.
Eventually he established his own renovation business earning a reputation for craftsmanship, integrity and loyalty.  Along the way, he gathered trusted tradesmen, devoted clients and many enduring friendships.

Mark recognized the love of his life, Elizabeth Kays, on a job site, after their paths had crossed over three decades.  She had been at the same 1973 Grateful Dead concert in Richmond, VA, the city where they both attended colleges, in different years. They had formally met in the 1980’s at a housewarming party. And on the Kitty Hawk Beach Road in the ‘90s, as her car followed him she noticed what a fellow local he must be, as he “rubbernecked” his way North to Corolla.  After a dozen years together, they were married in 2008, surrounded by friends.

Always a follower of the Grateful Dead, Mark tapped his hand to their music throughout his final days.  He claimed to have traveled to many shows, perhaps approaching over 120 of them, including notable shows. His encyclopedic knowledge and appreciation forged bonds with other Deadheads.  He studied Celestial Navigation and maintained a Merchant Mariner Captains License and traveled to Isla de Mujeres, Mexico by charter fishing boat, the “Obsession” out of Manteo, NC for many winters.  In 2021, Mark fulfilled a lifelong dream when he acquired a 1982 Hinckley Bermuda 40 yawl, the “Cordial”, sailing in the Chesapeake Bay most recently.  He and Elizabeth enjoyed being a part of the close-knit community at Little Creek Marina in Norfolk, VA.

The celebration of Mark’s remarkable life will be held at Gallop Memorial Chapel, Nags Head Tuesday February 17, 2026 at 3 pm. Please share condolences with the family on-line at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.