Mark David Wurster, 51, passed away on Monday, February 16th, 2026, in the ICU at UNC Chapel Hill, NC surrounded by family. He had sever acute pancreatitis which led to multi organ failure, not related to the hip replacement he had 9 days prior.
Born on August 20, 1974 in Wellsville, NY. He was the son of the late Frederick Newton Wurster and survived by his mother Patricia Ann Wurster, brother Darin Wurster, sister in law Lori Wurster, niece Kaitlyn and nephew Evan, brother Dan Wurster, and sister in law Kelly Wurster. Son in law of the late Richard Hogan and survived by mother in law Christine Hogan, Sister and Brother in law to Tricia and Randy Zielinski, uncle to Alex and Courtney. He is survived by his loving wife Erin Rina Wurster and daughters Chelsea Helen, Rachael Christine and Elizabeth Erin.
Mark grew up in Wellsville, NY and moved to NC in 1996 where he soon met his wife of 24 years. Mark and his wife started their Construction Company, Martrecks Construction, in 2004 and raised 3 beautiful girls. Mark was the definition of a devoted family man as his girls were his entire world. He was so proud of each and every one of their accomplishments and milestones and never missed a ceremony. He even stepped in as a rec Basketball coach when the need arose. Mark was involved with Indian Princess from the time each girl was 6. Mark shared his love of the outdoors with each of the girls tribes. For Chelsea’s tribe his name was Wolverine and she was Sparkling Peach Tree. For the twins tribe he was Eagle Eye and Rachael was Glowing Fire Fly and Elizabeth was Running Rabbit. Oh how he cherished all the experiences he shared with his girls and their tribes. The went Camping, Fishing, Biking, Zip Lining and Mark would build elaborate floats with the tribes for the Wake Forest Christmas parade every year. Every minute Mark wasn’t running his company, his world was dedicated to his girls. When they aged out of Indian Princess they all became trailblazers and went to Y-Guides camps to continue their adventures.
Mark had a love for the outdoors and the family has a camp on Lake Gaston where he could enjoy boating, fishing and the outdoors with family year round. Mark had a deep appreciation for family life and never missed a moment of family time. Whether at Chelsea’s basketball games or Elizabeth’s Lacrosse games. He was involved in anything the girls were interested in. Rachael is quite the car buff and they went to many car shows together. On weekends, he went on hikes with the girls and the dogs and did anything to spend time with them. Chelsea has been in the Equestrian world since the age of 14 and he came to most all her shows, he never said no to an adventure and when Rachael, Elizabeth and Erin Rina started showing, he became even more involved and everyone made weekend trips out of it in a camper he got for the family just for horse shows as Mark and Rina decided this was the empty nester plan. Mark was so happy that all 3 of his girls decided to take the college path. Chelsea graduated and has a wonderful job as a Civil Engineer and is doing what she loves, while continuing her Equestrian journey teaching lessons and training horses. Both Elizabeth and Rachael are presently attending ECU.
He enjoyed spending time with his friends as well. Mark never left anyone out. If you were family or a friend you knew he would have your back and be there for you no matter what. Mark was also very close with the people he worked with. No one ever had anything but a kind word about Mark as he gave the people he worked with the same efforts and loyalty he put into his family life.
Mark leaves the company to his partner in life and in business. Erin Rina will be keeping Mark’s legacy alive. A Celebration of Life will be held from 6 to 9 on Friday February 27, 2026 at the Pinehill Pavillion in Youngsville, NC. He will be laid to rest in NY in the arms of his Grandma Helen “Tillie” Walsh (August 28, 2002) and his father Frederick Newton Wurster (April 25, 2024) at a Graveside Service on March 7, 2026 at 11 am in Stannards Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to Mark’s favorite charity St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.
For additional information or for service details, please reach out to the family directly.
