Mark Caldwell Rivinus grew up in Chestnut Hill in a vibrant household. Mark loved people and they loved him. He made new friends and kept old ones. He remembered people’s stories. He was full of curiosity and could make even going to a movie feel like a great adventure.
Mark’s early experiences as a soldier in Vietnam shaped his perspective on life. Having witnessed the horrors and compassion of war, he was both resilient and fragile, uncommonly kind but also prone to sadness and anger as he suffered from wartime PTSD. His leukemia and eventual death from complications of bladder cancer can be linked back to the Agent Orange exposure he endured.
He went to NYU nursing school and went on to receive multiple master’s degrees in anesthesia and geriatric medicine.
Sailing in Cape Cod, fishing in Montana, volunteering with the Friends of the Wissahickon and passing on family traditions and stories were important to him. He was the best at finding out of the way restaurants with the most amazing food and the perfect beach for a swim.
He adored his sons, Max Rivinus and Morgan Smith. To them he leaves an example of a father who was always present, caring, and willing to learn hard lessons and evolve to be a better, kinder person. He was very proud of his granddaughters, Georgia, Lorelei and Sofie Smith.
Mark was predeceased by his brother Michael Rivinus, his sister Judith Rivinus Fuller and his parents Anne and Koey Rivinus who were both inspiring community leaders. He is survived by his wife, Maggie Devries who always made him smile and laugh, brother Tim Rivinus and sisters Sally Caslon, Susy Ribault, and Mary Madeira.
He died peacefully at home on May 6, 2026 with family by his side.
