Mark Thomas Sperberg, 68, of Cocoa Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025 after a long illness. Born in Garden City, New York, Mark was raised in Kirkwood, Missouri, and Rochester, New York.

A proud Duke University graduate, Mark earned a double major in Civil Engineering and Business Management and later completed Duke's Master's Program in Project Management. His education set the foundation for a remarkable global career that blended technical mastery, leadership, and an enduring curiosity about the world.

Mark began his professional journey in Dallas, Texas, contributing to the construction of the Dallas Galleria. His expertise soon took him to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he served as the Precast Engineer for the construction of King Saud University. Returning to St. Louis, he oversaw the restoration of the historic St. Louis Union Station and participated in the management of numerous landmark projects throughout the city.

His international work continued in Kuwait City, where he coordinated engineering reports for the World Court's "Food for Oil" program following the Iraqi invasion. Back in the U.S., Mark contributed to the rebuilding of the Chelsea School District in Boston before moving to Orlando, Florida, where he became Vice President of Capital Improvements for Tishman Hotels, overseeing major projects at Walt Disney World and their hotels across the nation.

While in Orlando, Mark was part of the team that created the Academy of Construction Trades, a program offering high school students the opportunity to apprentice in skilled construction trades beginning in their junior year. This innovative program continues to thrive today, a testament to Mark's vision and commitment to mentoring the next generation of builders.

The call of the Middle East led Mark back overseas, where he served as Senior Project Manager for Al Ain University and several high-rise hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He later returned to Riyadh as Project Director for the development of a new suburb of the city. His work then took him to India—first to Gurgaon as Project Director for a multi-building high-rise office park, and later to Mumbai, where he oversaw the construction of two 80-story mixed-use towers.

Mark's final international assignment was in Muscat, Oman, where he served as Project Executive for the construction of a new multi-billion dollar airport. Upon returning to the United States, he continued sharing his expertise through consulting work for the Brevard County School District and the City of Orlando.

In addition to his distinguished career, Mark had a lifelong love of theater. He appeared in numerous regional productions, performing memorable roles such as the King in The King and I and Lenny in Of Mice and Men.

While in Orlando, Mark also became affectionately known as the Santa Claus of Dr. Phillips, delighting hundreds of children each holiday season. His joyful portrayal of Santa became so beloved that it carried him around the world—bringing Christmas cheer to families, ambassadors, and children in five different countries.

Mark and his wife, Linda, shared a deep love of travel and exploration, visiting 49 countries together and embracing every opportunity to experience new cultures and adventures.

Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Linda (née Fendler) Sperberg, and his sister, Marcia (née Sperberg) Louis and her husband Charles. He was predeceased by his father, Gordon Sperberg, his mother, Laurene (née Zimmermann) Sperberg, and his brother, Jonathan Sperberg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University in Mark's memory.