Timothy Andrew Marek, 60, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, died on November 20th, 2023. He was born in 1963 to Mary and Cecil John Marek in Chicago. Tim grew up with his brothers John, Bill, and Joe and was doted on by his extended Chicago family. At a young age, Tim started playing board games and card games with his brothers, parents, and aunts. His passion for strategy and competition came out in games of Risk, Chess, Spades, and Cribbage. Tim always enjoyed a win. The brothers and their friends also enjoyed a good game of football, stolen bases, or Red Rover on the front lawn at their house on Lomond. During the Cleveland winters, Tim loved speeding down the Thornton Park sledding hill on the family toboggan. Early on, he worked part-time jobs on a neighborhood newspaper route, snowblowing driveways and as a valet and golf caddy at the Shaker Heights Country Club.

Tim graduated from Shaker Heights High School, where he is best remembered for his talented trumpet playing. He enjoyed performing in marching band and orchestra and playing jazz with the school jazz band and with his friends. Music continued to be a lifelong passion, especially classical and jazz. Tim received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cleveland State University and enjoyed a long career as a programming and technical support expert. One example of Tim's brilliance and creativity is his development of a software program many engineering companies used for pipe design.

Tim's four children Rachel, Sarah, Harry and Leah meant the world to him. When looking at old photos, it is hard to miss that Tim appreciated playing with one of his four children as they grew up. When he was able to, Tim attended sporting events, concerts, and other activities. Tim passed on his love of music to his children through their participation in marching band, choir, and their love for finding a good beat. Tim and the children loved playing video and board games. Tim spent many nights staying up late, helping his children get further in the games they enjoyed.

Tim's competitiveness at board games, and following their rules continues to live on in the next generation. Tim supported his children in the ways that he could and was proud of all of their accomplishments.

After starting his family, Tim converted to Judaism. He devoted his time and energy to attending religious school with his children almost every week throughout their childhood. He is remembered for asking brilliant questions during parent-child Hebrew class, sometimes stumping the teacher and being told to "ask the rabbi."

Tim had a soft spot for his furry friends, which came from his many family childhood pets: siamese cats, snakes, rabbits, turtles, and dogs. He helped his children care for their small furry friends, starting with his first dog Casey. Tim also loved Einstein, who became a part of the family in the spur of the moment, when Tim rescued him from the side of the road. Tim treated each and every pet like the valuable family member they were.

Everyone who knew Tim, knew how much he loved chess, music, and spicy foods. He was an avid runner, participating in Cleveland and NYC Marathons with his dad and brother Joe. Tim also enjoyed competing in triathlons in Ohio. He and his dad regularly biked around Northeast Ohio. Through Scouting and family trips, Tim grew to love the outdoors and had hilarious tales of family road trips from his youth. On a Canadian canoe trip with his dad and brothers, they tipped a canoe in the rapids and paddled for days in a bent, duct-taped canoe, minus most of their gear. Tim and his brothers took bowling lessons at the local Kinsman Lee Bowling Lanes. Tim continued "throwing the rock" in good-natured family competitions.

Tim will always be remembered for his perseverance and endless curiosity about the world. We will miss Tim every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. Tim was preceded in death by his mom, Mary Marek and is survived by his father, Cecil John Marek, his brothers John Marek (Juliet), William Marek (Sue), and Joe Marek (Kristen) and his four children Rachel, Sarah, Harry, and Leah Marek.

A private service will be held on Friday November 24th. The family will welcome visitors following the service at 2914 Green Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44122 from 2:00 until 4:00 pm. Donations to NAMI Cleveland in Tim's name would be greatly appreciated.