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Marc is survived by his wife, Susan;daughter, Rachel, her fiancé Luke Kubacki; and son, Mitchell Gaunce, as well as his parents, sister Chimene (Gaunce) Rice & brother-in-law Dan Rice, beloved nephews Ryland Sacik and Benton Rice. In Kentucky, he leaves his friend and cousin Jimmie Fullenwider as well as many loved ones in the Congelton and Jeffries families and local friends. His surviving in-laws include Jennifer (Rick) Winkeller, Shelley (Ron) Brinkman, Scott (Ann) Smith, Michelle (Chris) Dralle, Lissa Smith, Stasia (Chris) Shephard; and beloved nieces and nephews, Drew (Noelle) Brinkman, Shannon Brinkman, Lauren Allen, Christopher Smith, Abbey (Mike Hoey) Smith, Joseph (Judith) Procunier, Samuel (Jodi) Procunier, David, Sophie, Charlotte, and Sally Shephard; and great nephews Zeke Allen, Luke and Josh Brinkman, Emmett Procunier, and Dominic and Colton Hoey.
He also leaves behind a lush garden, a gallon of homemade hot sauce, a cat that wants to go outside every 15 minutes, unprotected blueberries, thousands of books to reread, neighborhood concerts needing a new MC, uncontested dinnertime potty jokes, a power drill with a dead battery, and two cars in need of a YouTube fix job.
A walking search engine, Marc was a fount of knowledge, always had a joke to tell and loved to cook for a crowd. He was a loving and caring son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and cousin, and had a wide circle of friends and neighbors. He was truly interested in people, charismatic, charming, and didn’t know a stranger. You always laughed and valued the moment when Marc was present. He was the glue that linked together many high school and college friends who remain connected to this day.
His wife, Susan, fell so hard for the line, “I’m just asking for a date. I’m not asking you to marry me...” that it did in fact result in a 34-year marriage. Marc was very proud of his children, especially Rachel’s Master of Community Planning degree and Mitchell’s journey to Eagle Scout. He attended all Rachel’s theatre performances, coached baseball, tagged along on field trips, and made a mean hotdog at the concession stand. Making sure his children were armed with life skills, they participated together in the Y Princesses and Scouting programs.
Marc was a leader in many aspects of life. As a professional political consultant, he was motivated to create a more just and fair society. Starting as a Field Organizer for Bruce Babbit in Iowa, he advised, consulted, and provided political and business services for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Gubernatorial, County Commissioner, County Trustee, Mayoral, City Council, and School Board races in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana as well as the Nationwide and Bengals Stadium levies. Marc served as Ohio State Director for John Edwards for President, Lee Fisher’s Campaign Manager during his 1994 reelection race for Ohio Attorney General and 1998 race for Ohio Governor. He was the Director of Operations for the Ohio Senate Caucus, worked for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, Field Coordinator for Mike Gelpi for U.S. Congress, Consultant for Kilroy for U.S. Congress, and was part of the Student Action Coalition for Jesse Jackson. As the owner of Tactical Edge, he worked on several races and ballot initiatives for political and business clients throughout the State of Ohio and Kentucky and strategized with the Ohio Democratic Party to flip the Ohio House in 2006. Marc was proud of the many careers he helped launch for campaign volunteers and staff.
Services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Prewitt Funeral Home (425 N Main St., New Castle, KY 40050). Friends may visit from 1:00 PM until service time. A graveside ceremony at New Castle Cemetery and reception at the Eminence Community Center will follow.
A Celebration of Marc’s Life is scheduled for Sunday, July 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Mozart’s Café, at 4784 N High St., Columbus, OH 43214.
In honor of his love for history, friends and family are invited to donate to the Ohio History Connection, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211 or www.ohiohistory.org/get-involved/donate/. This ridiculously long obituary was paid for by the Marc for America PAC. |
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