Mark Stebbins Obituary: A Remarkable Life of Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, and Family
Mark Stebbins Obituary:- The hotel industry and the community lost a great leader and philanthropist on June 17, 2021, when Mark R. Stebbins passed away peacefully at his beloved Bailey Island, Maine. He was the CEO of PROCON, a hotel owner, and a generous donor to many causes. He was 67 years old. He will be remembered for his excellence, innovation, and compassion in his work and life.
Stebbins was born and raised in Manchester, NH, where he developed his entrepreneurial and competitive spirit from a young age. He worked for his father’s construction company, delivered newspapers, and excelled as a swimmer. He earned scholarships to The Lawrenceville School and Dartmouth College, where he majored in Economics, set records in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and was honored as an All American. He then moved to New York City to work at Chase Manhattan Bank, where he met and fell in love with his wife, Sally.
In 1979, he returned to New Hampshire to join his father at PROCON, a design-build construction company founded in 1935. He became the CEO in 1984 and grew the company to the largest of its kind in the state. He also co-owned a hotel chain that operates hotels in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, including the AC Hotel in Portsmouth. He owned several other businesses in various sectors, such as fabric, biotech, senior living, and commercial real estate brokerage.
Stebbins was a visionary leader who had a passion for developing real estate and creating value for his clients and partners. He was confident, decisive, and ready to outwork anyone. He was also a mentor and a friend to many of his colleagues and employees. He loved his work and the people he worked with.
A Generous Philanthropist Who Made a Difference
Stebbins was not only successful in business but also generous in giving back to his community. He donated to numerous charitable causes across the state, especially those related to education, health care, arts, and sports. He supported organizations such as Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, The Lawrenceville School, The Derryfield School, The Palace Theatre, The Currier Museum of Art, The Manchester Boys & Girls Club, The Granite YMCA, Easterseals NH, Catholic Medical Center, and many more.
He also created initiatives to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. He opened his hotel’s kitchen to provide meals to charities. He co-created the Portsmouth Together 200 Challenge with Jeff Johnston of Cathartes, which raised more than $250,000 for Portsmouth area restaurants and nonprofits. He co-chaired the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee to Reopen Portsmouth during the pandemic.
Stebbins was a humble and sincere philanthropist who never sought recognition or publicity for his contributions. He preferred to stay behind the scenes and let his actions speak for themselves. He cared deeply about his community and wanted to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
A Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother
Stebbins’ first love and priority was always his family. He married Sally in 1979 and they recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. They have three children: John, Jennifer, and Lisa. Later, three in-laws and six grandchildren joined the family. He was also close with his parents, brother Jim and his family, and sister Susan and her family.
Stebbins enjoyed spending time with his family at his home in Manchester or at his compound on Bailey Island. He loved taking his grandchildren to breakfast club at his table every morning or driving them around on the gator. He loved going for boat picnics or afternoon sails with his family and friends. He loved watching the sunset from his deck with his wife by his side.
Stebbins was a devoted husband who adored Sally. He was a proud father who supported John and Jennifer as they joined him in business and Lisa as she pursued her career in education. He was a fun-loving grandfather who spoiled his grandchildren with affection. He was a loyal son who honored his parents’ legacy. He was a supportive brother who shared his success with his siblings.
Stebbins was a constant optimist who always had a smile on his face. He had a great sense of humor and a zest for life. He always said he was “the luckiest man in the world” or “outstanding” or “if I got any better it would be illegal”. He took a genuine interest in everyone he met and was generous with his spirit.
A Celebration of His Life
Stebbins’ life will be celebrated on Saturday June 26th at 11:00 am at Saint Anselm College’s Thomas F Sullivan Arena. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mark R. Stebbins Memorial Fund at The Lawrenceville School.
Stebbins’ family and friends will miss him dearly, but they will always remember his remarkable life and cherish his memory. He was a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and gave generously. He was a man who made a difference.
| Name | Mark R. Stebbins |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 18, 1954 |
| Date of Death | June 17, 2021 |
| Age | 67 |
| Place of Birth | Manchester, NH |
| Place of Death | Bailey Island, ME |
| Occupation | CEO of PROCON, Hotel Owner, Philanthropist |
| Education | The Lawrenceville School, Dartmouth College |
| Spouse | Sally Stebbins |
| Children | John Stebbins, Jennifer Stebbins-Hoppe, Lisa Stebbins |
| Grandchildren | Jack, Charlie, Henry, Teddy, Lucy, and Ellie |
| Parents | Robert and Lorraine Stebbins |
| Siblings | Jim Stebbins and Susan Stebbins-Sullivan |
