Mark Josiah Chatham passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 4, after a brief but fearless battle with a rare brain cancer. He loved life and lived it to the fullest, even after receiving this devastating diagnosis. In the month just prior to his passing, Mark celebrated his 61st birthday and his 32nd wedding anniversary. He was born in Jackson, Mississippi on May 5, 1959, the youngest of seven children, to Kathleen McLaughlin Chatham and Grif B. Chatham.
Mark received his Engineering degree from UAH in 1984. He was co-founder of EGS Corporation, in Huntsville, Alabama, and was instrumental in its growth and success. There Mark co-owned a patent for a highly innovative electrical connection product line which is still used in nuclear power plants around the world. While at EGS, he also served as a valued consultant to Ontario Power Generation, in support of the restart of the Canadian nuclear power program. He retired in 2016 as the General Manager of the QualTech NP and Curtiss-Wright Nuclear Canada business units of Curtiss-Wright Nuclear.
Mark was pre-deceased by his parents; his brother, Bert Chatham, and two sisters, Kathy Chatham and Betty Hammond. He is survived by his wife, Polly Howell Chatham. Also surviving are two sisters, Angela Norris and her husband, James, and Imelda Fisher; one brother, Frank Chatham; two nephews, Josh Fisher and Ethan Howell; one niece, Catherine Mullalond; and his brothers-in-law, Pat Howell, and Don Hammond.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Road, Huntsville. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, June 9, at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit, followed by Inurnment at the Columbarium at Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church, 3910 Spring Avenue, Decatur.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or Hospice of the Valley, 240 Johnston St., SE, Decatur, Alabama, 35601.
In Mark’s memory, please do as he did, and share a laugh with someone every day.
