UB Council member Mark J. Czarnecki dies after battle with cancer

Mark J. Czarnecki, a longtime UB Council member and executive at M&T Bank, died Sunday after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

“On behalf of his entire University at Buffalo family, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to Mark's wife, Elizabeth, and his family,” UB President Satish K. Tripathi said. “UB was truly fortunate to have such a steadfast supporter and university friend as Mark. Whether it was through his role as a member of the UB Council, or his various other connections to our university, the many members of our UB community who had the opportunity to know Mark will greatly miss him as a colleague and friend.”

Czarnecki, a Buffalo native and UB alumnus, rose through ranks at M&T Bank during a 40-year career. At the time of his death, he served as the Buffalo-based bank’s president and chief operating officer, and was responsible for the bank’s day-to-day management.

He joined the UB Council in 2004, and most recently served as vice chair. During his more than 12 years on the council, Czarnecki advocated on behalf of UB and its mission for continued advancement as a world-class public research university.

In addition to his service at UB, Czarnecki served as chairman of the New York Bankers Association in 2010, chairman of the Westminster Foundation and the Westminster Community Charter School, both in partnership with Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. He also was past chairman of the Buffalo Zoo and a director of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. 
 
Czarnecki is survived by his wife of 38 years, Elizabeth, and their children, Christopher and his wife Jill (Bowman), and Gregory and his fiancée Rosanna Monachino.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Czarnecki’s name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.