Mark Paul Brighenti

ATHOL - Mark Paul Brighenti, Jr., age 17, of Athol died Monday, July 27, 2015 at home in Athol. Mark was born November 5, 1997 in Leominster, the son of Mark P. and Jodie (Green) Brighenti. Mark was going into his senior year at Athol High School and was attending classes at Mount Wachusett Community College as part of the dual enrollment program working towards his associate’s degree. Mark was involved in all aspects of Athol High, he played on the varsity football team as a tight end, defensive end and punter, varsity basketball team, varsity volleyball team as a freshman and varsity track. As a member of the football team he received the Turkey Day O’Brien Family Award during his sophomore year. He was a member of the Student Council, the National Honor Society, Best Buddies and the Drama Club (sophomore year). He was selected to be the Athol Delegate to Project 351 started by Governor Duval Patrick. He was Class President his freshman & sophomore years before leaving to attend MWCC as part of the Pathways Dual Enrollment Program. He loved participating in Spirit Week and in the annual lip sync contest as Adam Sandler. He was a three year participant in the Mr. Athol High. He loved his friends and was always thoughtful and cared about his classmates before himself. Mark was a Boys State Delegate, a graduate of the State Police Student Trooper Program, a counselor at the Massachusetts Conservation Group and worked as a life guard at the Erving State Forest. He volunteered to help with the annual Big Cheese River Rat 5K. He designed his own Big Cheese T-Shirt and wore it while running the race. He was also helpful with the Quabbin Anglers events. He loved his family, bringing joy and humor to their lives every day. Mark had a wonderful sense of humor, making people laugh all the time. He loved chocolate chip pancakes with bacon, sour cream and onion potato chips, arguing that green specks on the chip were part of the vegetable food group and his grandmother’s seafood chowder. He travelled with a deep fryer and would bring it to his friend’s homes where they would fry up whatever was in the cupboard. He watched Game of Thrones and Sport Center and loved the Harry Potter books and movies. He played many video games. He would hunt and fish and work up on the family land with his Dad. He loved the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins. Mark will be missed by his parents, Mark P. and Jodie (Green) Brighenti; two sisters, Sofia Molina Brighenti and Catherine Spencer Brighenti; his maternal grandmother, Mary Jane Green and her significant other William Bleak; his paternal grandmother, Natalie Brighenti; uncles & aunts, Tony & Sherrie Brighenti, Robert & Joan Brighenti and many cousins and wonderful friends. His dogs Vader and Dunks and cats Pip and Peeka. All will miss him forever. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 am on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol, all attending are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will be private at a later date. Calling hours will be Friday, July 31, 2015 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Road, Orange. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Mark’s memory to the Athol Football Team for much needed new uniforms. Please make checks payable to the Athol Boosters Association, c/o Gene Ferrari, 111 Orchard St., Athol, MA 01331.