"Dear Penny and Family, I was surprised and saddened to learn from the Cluny Sisters in Newport about Mark's death. I remember your visits to Brenton Road and all your kindness to Sister Gisèle while she was at St. Marks and afterwards. May God bless you all and give you comfort and consolation. Fondly, Sr. Marie"
In loving memory of
Mark Richard Rinfret
December 27, 1949 - November 12, 2011
Portsmouth, RI - Mark Richard Rinfret, 61, of Portsmouth, RI, died Saturday, surrounded by his loving family November 12, 2011 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI.He was the husband of Penny Hoffman Rinfret. Born in Exeter, NH on December 27, 1949, he was the son of Leona Mae Jordan Rinfret of Somersworth, NH and the late Richard Rinfret. He is survived by his wife Penny Rinfret of Portsmouth, RI, his daughters Robyn Chapman of Middletown, RI, and her son Timothy, Kimberlee Sheffield and her daughters, Amanda, and Amber Chilton of Middletown, RI, Renee Tingstad and her husband Gordon of Portsmouth, RI, and their children, John and Ashley, son Matthew Rinfret and Kathleen Lemler and their daughter, Sydney Rose of Newport, RI, his two nieces and two nephews. Mark served in the United States Army for two years in Germany.Mark had a very successful career of more than thirty years in the Computer Software Industry. His career started out at the Naval Underwater Systems Center and Hadron Inc. working on the services for the U.S. Navys Standard Computer UYK-7, and was instrumental in the development of the computer systems for the Trident Submarine project. In 1983, Mark joined SofTech where he contributed to the development of the U.S. Armys Ada Language System as well as other projects for Raytheon and the U.S. Navy. Mark and a team of other SofTech engineers founded HyperView Systems Corp in Middletown, RI in 1987. During his time there, Mark developed many of the key software elements of the HyperView product line that, at the time, were the most advanced multimedia delivery solutions available in the market. After Hyperview closed its doors in 1991, Mark moved on to become the Unix System Manager at Stanley Bostich, where he managed a large network of diverse Unix systems and complex network infrastructures.In 2000, Mark rejoined several of the HyperView team members, in establishing the East Coast Development Center, for a San Diego, CA startup company PacketVideo Corp. For the last 11 years, Mark was a key member of a software development team that produced innovative video and music delivery services for cellular operators and carriers worldwide. These services are available on 100s of millions of cell phones, smart phones and tablets all over the world. Marks last position, Senior Software Engineer, was with Alcatel-Lucent, who acquired part of the PacketVideo, in 2003.Mark attended the University of New Hampshire and the University of Rhode Island. He was a past Grand Knight of the Middletown Knights of Columbus, as well as past District Deputy. He loved music and for many years, was a member of the Newport Concert Band playing the Saxophone. He was a member of Jesus Savior Church, where he was a lector. He loved nature, and would often take his grand daughters for walks at Sachuest Point Nature Preserve. He loved gardening, his parish and his canine companion Zeke and his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and Papa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 10:00am in Jesus Savior Church, 509 Broadway Newport.Burial will be in St. Columbas Cemetery in Middletown.At the request of the family, calling hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Jesus Savior Church. 509 Broadway Newport, RI 02840.
Tributes
"I was saddened to learn of Mark's passing. I sat next to Mark for several years, in the clarinet section of the Exeter High School Band. He was a great person, even then. Always willing to help and always ready with a smile and words of encouragement."
"I am deeply saddened to learn of Mark's passing, his goodness and generosity were only surpassed by his brilliance. My humblest condolences to his family. Gunnar Foss"
"Dearest Penny, To you and the entire family please accept our sincerest sympathy and prayers. Trina, Amy and Ken"
"I am so sorry for loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love Always, Kati Minyo"
"Mark had a wonderful sense of humor and we always shared a laugh about something when he came in for his appointments. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him and we send our sincere condolences to his lovely wife Penny and family. Stan & Mary Moody"
"Dear Renee and Family, I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. From what I hear, he was a remarkable man. May you find comfort in your memories of him. With love and sympathy, Laurie & Steve Dutra"
"Dear Mrs. Rinfret, My condolences to you and your family for your loss. Your husband was a wonderful man and I have fond memories of the work you and he did with the youth group while i was involved. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers."
"Dear Penny, Robin, Rene,and Kim Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time."
"Penny and family, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Mark and I worked together and he was a gentle man and a gentleman. I was luck to have known him....Jim Banks and family."
"Penny & family, May dear, sweet Jesus, and our gentle, compassionate Blessed Mother give you all the strength, courage, and support you need to continue your journey on towards Calvary. Mark has "fought the good fight, and finished the race" in grand style. We are convinced that his "glorious crown" now awaits him. May God Bless, and keep you all, and the Holy Spirit continue to light your way. Sydney, I'm sure your Papa is peeking down and blowing you a kiss from Heaven, right through one of the holes in the sky where the stars are! He sure does love you to pieces! With much love,"
"Dear Penny- We are so sorry to be away at this time. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and may God give you strength during this difficult time. Love, MaryAnne & Tom Allan"
"Mrs Rinfret & family We are so sorry to hear the sad news of Mr Rinfret's passing. Our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Don was honored to have been able to play taps. Mr Rinfret will be sorely missed by all. Don,Mary & William"
"Our deepest Sympathy goes out to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. RIP Uncle Mark..."
"Penny & Family, So sorry to hear of Marks passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sorrowful time. He will be sorely missed. Jay, Janet, Jason & Nathan"
"Dear Penny & family, My heartfelt condolences to you all.My thoughts & prayers are with you at this sad and difficult time. Most Sincerely..."
"Dear Penny and family, I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you right now. Please know that those who love you stand beside you in this grief and entrust you to the care of our loving Lord who longs to console you with the promise that Mark is in a better place and continues to love you even more powerfully than before. He will give you the strength to go on, for each other. Duce"
"penney liz and i are out of the country just read about mark on middletown patch so so sorry about your loss he is such a class act our deepest sympathy to you and your family dave and liz mccauley"
"Penny, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time."
"Dear Penny and Family, Deepest sympathy to the Rinfret Family. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
""Papa, I pick you up! No, pick "ME" up, Sydney! : This was the most famous banter between Sydney Rose and her Papa for many, many years. It was the one thing Sydney would persistently not say in the correct verbage. It was too funny. And as the years have gone on, I hear one silly joke after another from Sydney, and I only have to ask, was that your Father's joke or your Papa's? The three of them the same sense of humor! Thanks PAPA. I Love You, Your son and Your Grandaughter, your Blood, more than "TO THE MOON, AROUND, BACK and MORE"."
"Penny and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The Smith Family Mary Ann Chris and Jordan."
"Rene & family we are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father He is without pain now and I'm sure he's smiling down on you all Diane Holdridge"
"My Thoughts and Prayers goes to the Rinfret families! Marie CCD teacher at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Central Falls, RI"
"Penny and Family~ We are deeply saddened by your loss. Know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. With Deepest Sympathy, Charlie, Paula, Kelley and Patrick"
"I was Mark's teammate in West coast for over 5+ years, but I had chance to meet him only twice in person. However I talked with him several times over the phone. He was always very helpful, positive and professional. He told me a lot about his grandchildren and how he played video games with them. He will be missed."
"Renee and Family, I was so sad to hear that your dad passed away. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. He is now an angel looking over all of you."
"Renee and family, So sorry to hear about your Dad. I know how hard it is and how long it will take before you start to believe he really isn't with you anymore. With time the hurt does lessen but the wanting to hear his voice or to be able to talk to him does not. All I can say is I am sorry for your loss and know that I am thinking about you. Love, Mona"
"Matt and Family, My sympathies to you and your family in the loss of your father. You all will be in our prayers. Lynn Creighton Freeland"
"Dear Penny and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Mark was such a terrific guy always friendly with a smile on his face. We loved seeing him playing in the yard with the grandkids and walking Zeke. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Love, Tim, Lorrie, Reid, Kyle and Lila Burns"
"We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you all in our prayers."
"Penny, I wanted you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. He will be missed. Love Carol & Dave"
"Dear, Penny and family. Were so sorry to hear of the passing, of Mark. Our love and sympathy along with our prayers are with him and his family at this time."
"Aunt Penny and family, We are praying for you all and sending lots of hugs. While we didn't get to see you much, each of our visit was full wonderful memories. In the recent years I have enjoyed keeping up with Uncle Mark and the rest of you via the Internet. I hope you are finding comfort in that he is no longer in pain and rejoicing up their with our Heavenly Father...what a celebration he must be having! Please know you will be in our continued thoughts and prayers. We love you!"
"Penny, My prayers are with you and your family, especially Sydney, at this difficult time."
"We will miss Mark he was a very kind and caring man. Who always had a smile ready for anyone. we send are heart felt condolences to his family. Love Jane, Robert and Catherine"
"Mrs. Rinfret and family I am very sorry for your loss you will all be in my thoughts and prayers."
"Dear Matt and Family, We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. We are here for you! Love, Steve and Lisa"
"I am sorry for your loss, I have enjoyed keeping in touch with Mark on Facebook. I know I am no longer a part of your family but I have very fond memories of our visits with your family. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Robin"
"Dear Penny and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I know that all your memories of Mark will keep him with you today, tomorrow and always. love, wendy"
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to Penny and Mark's family at this difficult time. I've know Mark for many years both professionally and socially through the Middletown Knights of Columbus. Mark was a Gentleman who was quick with a smile and a kind word. He will be missed."
"Mark is greatly missed. We lost a wonderful man, Heaven gained a beautiful soul."
"Penny, our deepest sympathy to you and your family. May God Bless you. Please know you are in our prayers."
"I never got to meet Mark in person, but I did get to know him in phone conversations and emails. I have thought so much of Mark over the years, he was really a good person. He knew the Lord and is in Heaven. I know his friends and family will miss him."
"To the Rinfret family, I am so sorry to hear of Mark's passing. I am a brother Knights of Columbus and a co worker at Hadron and Raytheon. Mark always had the best positive outlook on things. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Karen"