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Posted by on Dec 15, 2021 in Blog | 5 comments

Remembering “NY Mark”

 

 

I’ve just learned of the death of Mark Fucile, “NY Mark,” a.k.a Robert Souza and while I’m filled with deep sadness, his memory makes me smile.

 

Mark was a gentle giant. At 6′ 6″ he towered over any room he entered. His booming voice laced with that thick New York City accent was straight out of central casting. Rather than deal poker, as he did for so many years, Mark looked far more like a longshoreman or a club bouncer. But he had the heart of a lion and was as gentle as a lamb.

I first met Mark at Binion’s Horseshoe where I worked as an executive. Mark was a chip runner, an odd occupation for such a large man who spent 10-12 hours a day on his feet carrying chips back and forth between the cashier cage and grimy tables sardined into an overflowing poker room. Mark barreled through any obstacle in his way and like a Mack truck barreling down a highway, his loud voice warned that he was coming through.

Mark was remarkable. He loved sports. He loved to eat. He could get away with saying just about anything to anybody, with absolutely zero repercussions. When he piped off and teased players known to be difficult, everyone let him slide and do his own thing. That was just Mark being Mark.

Once, I witnessed Mark running chips into the red velvet rope area. That’s what we called the VIP section. At the time, it had the very highest cash game in the world going, with seats occupied by a Hall of Fame lineup. There was easily a million dollars on the table, much of it in cash. Mark delivered racks of black and yellow, $5,000 and $50,000 at a time and slammed them down in front of legends who occasionally got broke, barking out lines such as “better luck this time, Bobby,” or “you’re playing great, Doyle.” Nobody, and I mean NOBODY could get away with talking like that. Mark did. He was his own legend.

Maybe because Mark was so large for a man in his occupation, he stood out, and everyone knew him, from casual $2-4 players to the poker greats. In all the years I saw him run chips and deal, I NEVER saw a confrontation with Mark involved. Maybe it was his size or just the disarming way he smiled and talked to people, but his games always ran like clockwork.

Years later, when I worked at the WSOP and traveled with the WSOP Circuit, Mark was one of our most reliable and trusted dealers. There were many days and nights out of the hundreds that I was in my own low place or didn’t feel up to the test of the grind. Poker has a way of milking the life out of many people. But each time I walked by Mark’s table, especially as we were about to open the doors and let in the crowds, EACH AND EVERY OCCASION no matter what, Mark ALWAYS said something nice. He radiated positivity. It might have been just a small comment, like “You are the man, Nolan!” but it meant a lot. It was a small thing but it was a big thing.

Mark did a lot of small things for those around him, not for any purpose other than that’s who he was. He had no great ambitions to advance nor did he ever jockey for promotions, career advances he certainly would have deserved. Mark was content in his own skin. He liked being NY Mark.

In his final years, he was just as kind here on social media, where he posted regularly on Facebook as “Robert Souza.” One of his final posts says it all, really. Mark/Robert wrote (sic):

Hello all my friends and not. Life is good.
Enjoy the day and be kind.
Help a stranger.
Life is good!

Mark certainly made his mark. Mark inspired. Mark made us smile. Mark made people laugh. Mark brought joy. Mark was honest. Mark was good.

What greater contribution to living a full life is there than that?

Rest in peace, gentle giant.

5 Comments

  1. Great, great piece. Really makes me wish I had known Mark.

  2. This is you , Nolan at your best. Recognizing the character of a great person and writing it
    in a way of truth that goes deep into the heart. Thank you my friend. doc earle

  3. personal , Nolan I have a gift for you.
    send me you address or ph me at 709 597 0276. doc earle

  4. Nolan, reading your message about my cousin Mark, made me feel terrific. You definitely have a way with words.
    That was one hell of a tribute you gave to Mark, I’m sure he enjoyed it also.
    Once again, I sincerely thank you for your beautiful words.
    Sincerely, John Fucile, first, and oldest cousin.

    • NOLAN REPLIES:

      I’m honored that you would write and comment here, John. Mark was a wonderful man who will be fondly remembered by many friends. Wishing you well.

      — ND

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