Shipman, Mark S.
Mark Samuel Shipman died at home on Saturday, March 4, 2023, aged 85. He was born in Hartford April 16, 1937, the son of Paul D. Shipman and Reeva (Joseph) Shipman. The family moved to Newington in 1942 and Mark grew up an active resident in the small town where his father owned a drug store. Mark and his wife, Sonia, raised their family in Newington and he was active in Newington town government. A multi-sport athlete throughout school, Mark played soccer at the University of Connecticut. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, as a participant, spectator, and volunteer coach for his sons' youth sports teams. He was a devoted fan at his grandsons' sporting events. An avid golfer, Mark was a member of Tumble Brook Country Club.
Mark and Sonny were long-time supporters of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Stage and Hartford Art School. Mark's favorite cultural activities were the artistic endeavors of his grandchildren. Mark and Sonny never missed a school concert and proudly displayed every artwork they received.
Mark grew up at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, where he celebrated his bar mitzvah and many family occasions, including the bar mitzvahs of his grandsons. He lived an active life, enjoying family, friends, and his law practice. He often said he was blessed to love what he did for a living.
Mark graduated the University of Connecticut in 1959 and its School of Law in 1962. He was a Principal in the firm of Shipman, Shaiken & Schwefel, LLC, where he practiced with his son, Larry. Previously, he was Managing Partner and Chairman of the Litigation Department at Schatz & Schatz, Ribicoff & Kotkin in Hartford, where he practiced for 30 years.
He served as an Assistant States Attorney for the State of Connecticut, was a past Chairman of the Greater Hartford Transit District and past Vice Chairman of the Commission on Medicolegal Investigations of the State of Connecticut. He served as Special Counsel to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut, the Metropolitan District Commission and to municipalities across the state in various complex litigation matters. Mark is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sonia Sosensky Shipman; his sons, Paul, and husband Thomas Lee, of Bloomfield; Larry and partner Michelle Lapuk, of Essex; and Bill and wife, Rachel Kittredge Shipman, and their sons, Andrew and Robert, of Simsbury. An only child, he leaves many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mark received skilled and caring support from many medical professionals during a long battle with cancer. Our thanks to the wonderful people at Uconn Dempsey Hospital; the Neag Cancer Center; Mclean Home Care and Hospice; West Hartford Health Care and Rehabilitation; and caregivers from In-home Angels and The Key, especially George Asamoah, who has been a valued support and companion to Mark and the family. The funeral will be Wednesday, March 8, 11:00AM, at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, with burial to follow. The family will receive callers after the burial at Temple Beth Israel from 1:00PM to 4:00PM
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Mark's memory to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106, or to Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT 06119.