In Memoriam: Mark Okun

Lighting veteran Mark Okun passed away suddenly on January 20.

Over the past 30 years, Mark honed his expertise in the retail industry, concentrating on the lighting and home furnishings channels — first as Director of Sales & Training with furniture chain Bob’s Discount Furniture and later as Vice President and General Manager with Restoration Lighting Gallery (part of Connecticut Lighting Centers).  

By 2015, he established his own firm, Mark Okun Consulting and Performance Group (MOC) and led educational sessions on sales training for the American Lighting Association, the Dallas Market Center, and individual retail clients as well as wrote a popular monthly sales training column in enLIGHTenment magazine, published by Bravo Business Media. Most recently, he was a sales and training consultant for Unilog, a B2B ecommerce software and product content services company affiliated with Bravo Business Media.

A passionate gardener, Mark also co-founded the volunteer organization Caretakers of Soapstone Mountain in Connecticut, which was dedicated to providing a legacy of care for the Shenipsit forest and Soapstone Mountain.

“When I started to take my sales career seriously, I met two men, Zig Ziglar & Brian Tracy, at my first set of workshops. Their words changed how I operated and made me successful,” Mark has said.

Mark has touched many lives in his community and in the lighting industry.

Noted his son, Marc, on his father’s Facebook page, “I’m incredibly fortunate that there was never anything left unsaid between us. Every conversation ended with an ‘I love you,’ regardless of whether we were rushing off to a meeting or a call came in.  We talked about everything, multiple times a week. Whether it was just to check in, discuss the stock market, how our homemade wine was, or share how our gardens were doing, we had countless conversations. I was so lucky to have a father who truly was a friend. I will always be grateful for the time we had together.”

Added Ace Rosenstein, COO of Unilog and President of Bravo Business Media, “Mark wasn’t just a coworker to me; he was a true friend, a confidant, and someone who made every day a little brighter. One of the many things we shared was a love for food and cooking. Mark had a passion for growing his own produce, and he would frequently send me fresh vegetables from his garden…Mark and I also shared a love for business, learning and a fascination with technology. He had this insatiable curiosity that kept him always wanting to know more, to figure out how things worked, and to apply that knowledge to make life better—not just for himself, but for everyone around him.

“What truly set Mark apart was his ability to connect with people. Whether it was a customer, a friend, or a colleague, he took the time to get to know them personally. He believed that relationships built on trust and understanding were the foundation of everything. He worked hard to support others, and he made everyone feel valued and heard.

“Above all, Mark was the embodiment of a ‘mensch’— a person of integrity, kindness, and honor. He lived his life with extreme humility, always putting others first and enriching the lives of those lucky enough to cross his path.”

Jon McMahan of KTR Associates wrote, “[Mark’s passing is] a huge loss to this industry. He was always curious and would always reach out. Always full of ideas and would share his thoughts and ideas selflessly. He was a man of integrity and utmost humility. What a wonderful person and he will be missed.”

Showroom owner Drew Mihelish of Western Montana Lighting recalled, “Mark was such an amazing man, who I respect. He welcomed me to the industry with open arms and provided a lot of helpful insight in my early years. I will be forever grateful in meeting him.”

SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS: Mark Okun’s Calling Hours will be Tuesday January 28, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm at Coventry-Pietras Funeral Home, 2665 Boston Turnpike Coventry, Connecticut 06238