Mark Betz's Obituary
Mark Betz, 73, of Alameda, California, passed away peacefully at home on March 27, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Born on Valentine’s Day in Alameda, Mark was a lifelong resident of the community he loved. He grew up in Alameda and graduated from Alameda High School, Class of 1972. He went on to build a long career as a Teamster.
Mark was a loving father and grandfather, and a deeply generous, loyal, one-of-a-kind man who was truly cherished as a best friend or brother by many. He had a big spirit, a gregarious nature, and a sense of humor that drew people in and made them feel at ease. Mark gave his time freely and wholeheartedly to friends and family—he was the kind of person who simply showed up, again and again, for the people around him.
His care for others was constant and unmistakable. Whether he was mowing not only his own lawn but continuing down the street to care for his neighbors’ yards, or building a bicycle for a child who needed one, Mark expressed his love through action. He was the person you could always count on to fix what was broken, lend a hand, or step in without hesitation. Helping others wasn’t something he did occasionally; it was simply who he was.
Mark had a lifelong love of adventure, especially boating, water skiing, jet skiing, and camping. He was also a passionate collector of treasures, with a deep appreciation for cars, motorcycles, antiques, and toys. Mechanical and creative, he always had a project underway and found genuine joy in working with his hands and bringing things back to life.
For decades, Mark brought smiles to the Alameda community as Charlie Chaplin in the Alameda Fourth of July parade—a role that perfectly captured his playful spirit and love of bringing joy to others.
Mark is survived by his daughter, Jenny Betz; his daughter-in-law, Melissa Saunders; his grandson, Benjamin Saunders; and his nieces and nephew, Marcie Betz Arata, Trisha Aguilera, and Darren Betz. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Betz, and his brother, Rick Betz.
Mark’s life was defined by generosity, creativity, playfulness, and acts of kindness. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In keeping with Mark’s generous spirit and love for the Alameda community, donations in his memory may be made to the Friends of Alameda Parks Foundation: https://www.alamedaparks.org/donation/
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