Mark Edward Troy

Mark Edward Troy, 74, of Barren Springs, Virginia, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, North Carolina.

Born in Needham, Massachusetts, Mark was raised primarily in North Attleboro and attended Boston Trade High School, commuting into Boston each day by bus. He discovered his aptitude for electrical work early and became a master electrician at a remarkably young age. Around the age of 21, he put both his skills and his initials to work by starting his own business, MET Electric - Mark Edward Troy Electric.

In the 1970s, Mark moved to Virginia for an electrical position that included work at George Mason University. His career and life would take him through Culpeper, Spotsylvania, Richmond, and eventually Goochland. Never content to stop learning, Mark expanded beyond the electrical trade, taking classes in programming and ultimately working for Goochland County as an IT Programmer/Analyst. He retired in 2018 but continued working with the county until 2020.

To those who knew him, however, Mark's talents could never be contained by a job title. Electrical work, programming, carpentry, cars, computers - if something needed fixing, chances were Mark could figure it out. Better yet, he would happily talk you through exactly how he figured it out. He always seemed to have a project underway, enjoyed staying busy, and was happiest when his knowledge could be used to help someone else. He never wanted to stop learning.

That curiosity was accompanied by an adventurous streak. Mark loved motorcycles from a young age, participating in competitive Turkey Runs and, in his twenties, even taking a motorcycle down an off-season ski jump - a decision perhaps best appreciated in hindsight. He once took his youngest brother to see legendary daredevil Evel Knievel and continued his love of motorcycles throughout his life. He later encouraged his daughter Melissa to earn her own motorcycle license. He also loved vintage cars, RV camping, and the freedom of seeing where the road might take him.

His wife, Debbie, brought out the best in Mark and encouraged that spirit of adventure. She was ready to travel with him wherever the next destination might be, and she could make him smile ever so brightly. During retirement, Mark spent many happy miles traveling and RV camping with Debbie and his granddaughter Taylor.

Mark's faith was also an important part of his life. He became deeply involved in the church communities he joined, often putting his technical abilities to use behind the scenes. On Sundays, he could frequently be found behind the electrical board running lights and sound. His faith remained an important source of strength and positivity during the challenges of his final months.

Even as ALS increasingly forced a man who had spent his life doing to sit still, Mark remained determined to keep his mind active. He especially treasured his weekly games of chess and banter with his best friend, Dean Fraizer. His positivity throughout an extraordinarily difficult time was admired by those around him.

Mark was also a man who appreciated a good joke - particularly his own. He loved cheesy dad jokes and maintained complete confidence that his sense of humor was top-notch. During Melissa's high school years, he was known to sign report cards and other official documents simply as “John Hancock.” Family members also understood an important household rule: restaurant leftovers required a name. Anything left unlabeled was apparently Mark's property, and he would eat it without the slightest hint of guilt.

Mark ultimately found his peaceful place in Barren Springs, where his property backs up to a state park with beautiful views of the river. It was a fitting place for a man who had spent so much of his life working, traveling, learning, fixing, and helping others to finally enjoy retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Norman Troy and Barbara “Wallis” Troy; his sister, Cheryl Troy; and his first wife, Elaine Troy, who passed away in 2018 and with whom he shared his daughters, Melissa and Catherine.

Mark is survived by his wife, Deborah Troy; daughters, Melissa Stroik and Catherine Troy; grandchildren, Taylor Troy and Aiden Troy; brothers, Joe Troy and Scott Troy and his wife, Judy; and sister, Paula Schmidt and her husband, Bruce Schmidt.

There will be no services at this time. A guestbook is available online through Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, which is serving the Troy family.