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M&T Bank President dies after extended illness

Mark Czarnecki died February 26 at the age of 61
M&T Bank President dies after extended illness
Posted at 9:15 PM, Feb 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-27 21:15:54-05

The President and Chief Operating Officer of M&T Bank has died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mark Czarnecki passed away Sunday at the age of 61.

Czarnecki was a forty year veteran of M&T Bank who rose the corporate ladder throughout the course of his career.  He passed away two days before his fortieth anniversary with the company, according to M&T spokesman Michael Zabel.

Czarnecki started at M&T straight out of college as an assistant branch manager, and went on to hold positions in retail banking, business banking, commercial lending, securities, and investments.

Czarnecki was named President in 2007 and Chief Operating Officer in January 2014.

“Throughout his career, and throughout his life, Mark distinguished himself as a leader and a servant of others,” said M&T’s Chairman and CEO, Robert G. Wilmers.

“Both his leadership and his service will be missed greatly by his family, his colleagues, and his community."

Colleagues say Czarnecki disproved the old adage 'nice guys finish last.'

"[Mark] was truly a nice guy that lived M&T's culture of collaboration, working together, and caring about each other," said Zabel.

Outside M&T, the Buffalo native was active in the community.  Czarnecki was past chairman of the Buffalo Zoo, vice chairman of the University at Buffalo Council and a director of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.  

Mr. Czarnecki is survived by his wife of 38 years, Elizabeth, and their two children.