Marco Edward Piatkowski

Marco Edward Piatkowski (Marc)

July 6, 1972 – January 7, 2022

Marco (Marc) Edward Piatkowski passed away at age 49 on January 7, 2022 from complications after an emergency surgery. He will be remembered as a generous, caring spirit whose ability to infuse fun and humor into every day made him an exceptional father, husband, brother, and son.

Marc was born in Santa Ana, California, on July 6, 1972, to Edward Thomas Piatkowski and Juanita Virginia Piatkowski. When he was a child, the family moved to Georgia, a place he always called home. As a child, you could find Marc with his friends chasing snakes in the backwoods on wilderness adventures. Marc lived there until he was 12, at which time the family moved back to Orange County, California. The extended family was close-knit as uncles and cousins seemed more like siblings. Marc attended Costa Mesa High School and then Orange Coast Community College, where he was on the Rowing Team, an accomplishment he was very proud to share with his sons. In 2011, Marc received his Film Producer’s Diploma.

In 1998, Marc moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he met Kristi Renae Van Dyke. They moved back to southern California in 1999 to further their careers. In 2004, they married and started their family, which included sons Brixton, born in 2011, and Kellan, born in 2015.

Before he became the stay-at-home parent, Marc worked in property management, a film location scout, in music, editing, and television production on multiple shows including Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, and That 70's Show. The long hours and distance of the job did not faze him. As much as he loved working in the entertainment industry, he put his career on pause to allow Kristi to pursue her career.

Marc enjoyed art, music, photography, Star Wars and Georgia football. Most of all, Marc enjoyed family. Marc was an amazing father. He loved spending time with his boys in nature—hiking, camping, or hanging at the beach. He was the boys’ best friend, goofing off with them in stores and was the popular playmate at the park with all the kids. Kristi sometimes lovingly referred to him as her “third child.”

A generous man, Marc never hesitated to lend a hand. If someone needed assistance - no matter the ask - he would go. Marc was an incomparable volunteer. He served as a volunteer photographer, on church committees, and on the Board of Directors for the National Latino Police Officer’s Association Los Angeles Chapter. He had the best sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. Marc was sweet, kind, and thoughtful, attributes that will live on in his sons.

Marc was preceded in death by his father, Edward. He is survived by his loving wife, Kristi; beloved sons Brixton and Kellan; mother, Juanita Piatkowski, of Moreno Valley; mother and father-in-law, Mary and Ron Van Dyke, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister, Elvia Carrera-Bucio, and her husband, Luis, of Moreno Valley, California; sister, Julie Ponce, of Fullerton, California; sister, Marci Rubero, and her husband, Jay, of Anaheim, California; and brother, Daniel Ponce, and his wife, Patti, of Santa Ana, California; sister-in-law Diane Brockberg, and her husband, Mark, of Jasper, Minnesota; as well as ten nieces and seven nephews.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church in Temecula, California on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks your consideration to support a fund that has been set up for Marc’s sons through the Grace Presbyterian Church.