Obituary of Mark Wikoff

Mark Wikoff, 69, oldest son of Mary and Robert Wikoff of Lake Placid, died peacefully at 5:30 AM, Thursday, February 16, at the Hudson Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Albany. At the time he was living in Troy, NY. Mark was a gifted chef who worked at some of the leading restaurants in the region and across the country. Like his father, uncles, and many of his cousins, Mark developed his skills and training at the Mirror Lake Inn under his grandmother, founder and owner of the Inn, Climena Wikoff. From age twelve through college, Mark worked and learned all aspects of operating the Inn: dishwasher, busboy, waiter, front desk, baker and cook. A 1971 graduate of Lake Placid Central School, Mark was a member of the ski team for all four years, developing a life-long passion for skiing. In 1975, Mark graduated from the University of Denver’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Throughout his career, Mark worked in numerous restaurants in the region, including at The Steak and Stinger and the Charcoal Pit. He also owned two restaurants in Lake Placid, McCarthy’s, named in honor of his mother, and the Woodshed. Mark also worked as the Kitchen and Bar Manager for the legendary steakhouse The Palm Restaurant in West Los Angeles, one of its first franchise locations outside of New York City. Elevated to General Manager, Mark then opened the Dallas and Houston franchises for The Palm. Mark went on to be the Executive Chef for TGI Friday’s in Albany, which became the third highest grossing location of the popular restaurant chain. While in Albany, Mark gave noontime cooking demonstrations for Channel 5. In 2004, Mark returned to Lake Placid to work as Executive Chef for the Mackenzie Dining Room and the Golf House for the Crown Plaza. In 2009, he returned to the Capital District where he closed out his career working at such establishments as Fresno’s Southwest Bar & Grill of Troy. Mark was predeceased by his parents, his beloved son Rhys and his brother-in-law, Fred Mills. He is survived by his former wife Alisa Patnode, their daughter Morgan Miller, her two sons Sebastian and Donovan Narvaez, and his brothers and sisters, Maureen (Roger) Caudill, Kathleen Wikoff (Bunkie Witten), Darlene (Jim) Hein, Robert (Cathy) Wikoff, Climeen Wikoff (Owen Hyland), Eileen Mills, and Daniel Wikoff, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. A memorial service will be held in the summer. Donations may be made in Mark’s name to NYSEF – New York Ski Educational Foundation. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory or leave condolences.