Marko Antone Susnjara
May 28, 1930 – Nov. 9, 2023
Marko Antone Susnjara passed away peacefully Nov. 9, 2023, after a long and good life.
Marko was born May 28, 1930, to Croatian immigrants, Marko and Ana Susnjara, in Portland, Ore. Marko attended St. Patrick grade school and graduated from Central Catholic High School (1947) and Santa Clara University (1951). Shortly after graduation he attended Officer Candidate School and later served in the U.S. Army as an “Atomic Veteran” at Camp Desert Rock in Nevada. In 1952 he married Betty McCullugh and they soon welcomed the first of five children.
Marko and Betty moved from S.E. Portland to the Parkrose area in 1961 where they raised their children among a tight group of other young families on N.E. 131st Ave. Marko purchased the Sherwood Inn Restaurant in 1968 and added a motel several years later, working long hours to make it a success.
Marko greatly enjoyed the many family gatherings and annual summer vacations to Seaside and later Sunriver. He was also an avid Trailblazer fan, being a season ticket holder since their second year in existence. Marko and Betty shared 59 years together until her passing in 2011.
Marko was a man of great generosity, loved to laugh and tell a good joke. Legend has it that he particularly liked entertaining the good sisters at Mary’s Woods with his daily collection of jokes. He was always outgoing and cared deeply for others. He will be missed dearly, and we will fondly remember his genuine love for his family and friends.
Marko is survived by daughters, Debbie Susnjara, Diane Costanzo and Donna Mayfield; sons, Mark (Sandhya) and Rick; grandchildren, Nicholas, Michael, Jennifer, Kristin, Ryan, Mikaila, Tim, Megan, Alyssa and Tyler; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sisters Mary Mircovich and Millie Susnjara.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at Ernesto’s Italian Restaurant. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Blanchet House or Portland Habitat for Humanity.
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