Mark A. Varvares, MD, FACS, age 67, passed away on May 20th, 2026, surrounded by his family, leaving behind a legacy defined by the countless lives he has touched.
Mark was a loving husband, father, brother, papou, friend, and teacher. He had a rare ability to make every person feel valued and heard, and he moved through the world with grace and humility.
Mark devoted 40 years to caring for others as a surgeon, mentor, and respected leader in the field of head and neck surgery. Over the course of his career, which included being the Chairman of the Otolaryngology Department at Saint Louis University and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, he distinguished himself through his innovative surgical skill and deep commitment to his patients. His dedication to his work never wavered, and his influence will continue to be felt for generations through the physicians, students, and healthcare professionals he mentored so passionately.
Mark did not just treat his patients, but took the time to truly know them and care for their whole person. Inspired by his love for his patients and Mark’s own experience fighting cancer, he worked to establish a cancer survivorship program at Mass Eye and Ear, leaving a legacy of compassion and service.
Mark loved being in the woods, fishing, birding, and spending time with his family and friends. He spent 41 years with his wife and teammate, Chris. His love lives on through their daughters Alexis, Sophie, and Tessa; sons-in-law Drew and Henry; his grandchildren Rhea, Lincoln, and Eleanor; his siblings Teddy Hart and Chris Varvares; sisters and brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews.
The visitation will be Friday, May 29th from 5-8 PM at the Kutis Funeral Home (5255 Lemay Ferry Road, Mehlville, MO 63129)
The viewing and funeral service will be Saturday, May 30th at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (4967 Forest Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108). The viewing will be from 10-11:30 AM and the service will be from 11:30 AM -12:30 PM. Private burial will follow the funeral service.
A reception will be Saturday after the funeral from 2:30-5:30 PM in Saint Louis University’s DuBourg Hall (221 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in memory of Mark to the memorial funds below, established to carry forward some of the work closest to his heart: resident education and cancer survivorship.
Gifts will help support the newly established Cancer Survivorship Fund at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, which works to help patients live their fullest lives through their cancer journey — supporting them physically and emotionally long after treatment ends. Gifts will also support the Mark Varvares, MD, Otolaryngology Resident Education and Travel Fund at Saint Louis University, helping to train and inspire the next generation of physicians.
Mark A. Varvares Memorial Fund at Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Mark Varvares, MD, Otolaryngology Resident Education and Travel Fund
Sending love and prayers and hugs to all of you! I was so blessed to have known him!
My sincere sympathy to you Chris, girls and family. Mark or Dr V was not just a wonderful caring doctor but a wonderful caring person. He loved all of you so much and wouldn’t hesitate to pull out his phone and share pictures of you, he was so proud of you all. I am grateful for all the years I spent working with him in the OR at MEE and will cherish my Christmas socks that he gave the nursing staff each year! Rest in Peace my friend, Patti D
Deeply saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. I will always remember his kindness, humility, and commitment to excellence. He made people feel seen and valued, and his presence elevated everyone around him. My heartfelt condolences to his family, and all who loved him. He will be profoundly missed.
A wonderful human being and someone I hope to emulate. Brilliant and driven, yet kind, personable, and approachable. I hope he knows how much of an impact he has made in this world.
This is such a touching memory of this great physician and it wonderfully depicts the extent of his service to others. I will forever be honored to have collaborated with him in caring for patients at the SLU cancer center. He treated all of his patients with world class care and this made him one of the best inspirations and role models I have ever met. I am privileged to have known him and my heart goes out to his family as he was one of a kind.
Mark was a giant in his profession and in his personal life. He was my long time, dear friend and professional colleague. I shall miss him and his wisdom greatly. He was taken from us all too early .To Chris and his dear family I extend my deepest sympathy and ongoing prayers for their well-being.
Gerry Healy
Mark was a very special person. I had the privilege and honor to have spent many hours in the OR working with him. He set the standard for devotion and perfection. RIP my friend.. You will be missed by many. We can all sleep tight at night knowing you’re up there keeping an eye on us.
My daughter was referred to Dr. Varvares thanks to her ENT here in TN studying under him at some point in his career. He was available at a moment’s notice and took so much time to help us understand what was undoubtedly the most terrifying event we had been through as a family. He assembled the team that took care of her and while he wasn’t the main surgeon, I was astonished when he stopped in the ICU after her first surgery. A subtle gesture that he probably didn’t hesitate to carry out and probably had no idea how meaningful it was to me that early Wednesday morning in 2024. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Five days have passed since the hearbreaking news appeared on my screen. I am still unable to face the reality that Mark is no longer with us. I never doubted that he will come back after his treatment. I did not have a chance to speak to him for the past several months, which only further compounds the grief. He was the best collaborator, mentor and colleague I have ever had, besides being a brilliant physician and scientist and a very good human being.I will truly and deeply miss him. I am sure the loss felt by his family is far greater. Wishing them strength in this difficult time.
I wrote Mark a brief letter within a couple days of hearing he had left the hospital for Maine. I unfortunately suspect he did not have the opportunity to read what a special person he was to me personally and all those whose lives he professionally touched.
❤️
Our hearts are broken my deepest sympathies our prayers are with you , I had the chance to meet doctor varvares in my darkest time of my life, he was more than a doctor over the years I got to meet doctor varvares and his family. He is a special doctor he had this a special way about him that put you at ease and knowing that you could get through your sickness,He will definitely be missed by all the people that meet him may he rest in peace
Dear Chris and Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences. We are sorry for your profound loss, as our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are happy that we had the good fortune to have known him as a brilliant colleague.
May his memory always be blessed.
-Sepi and Alex
Mark and I have been the closest of friends for almost 40 years – our children grew up together- we even share the same birthday – which was yesterday. Despite all the touching tributes above, my heart refuses to believe Mark is gone.
I saw Mark twice last week, and despite the circumstances, as usual he asked more about my family than he talked about himself. At a time when egos loom large, Mark was the epitome of humility and grace. He knew everything about his patients’ lives—because that’s part of “taking care of someone”. He was kind and caring to all—not just patients, but nurses, residents and staff, whom he knew by name.
In his youth Mark loved falconry. Falcons soar, hunt, and then usually return. I like to think that this time Mark soared, and then just kept going.
Hugs to all (through tears).
Just heard. So very sad and sorry to hear.
He was certainly one of the best!
So many wonderful memories at MEEI.
May he rest in peace.
Sending peace, strength, and love to his family and friends. ❤️
Dear Chris, and all Dr. Varvare’s beautiful family,
I was privileged for years to be a patient of your late husband and father. He was a phenomenal physician and human being. For years, we were partners in challenge grants to help raise funds for his research. Dr. Varvares’ passing is incredibly saddening. I too mourn this great loss.
With the warmest regards from a very humble friend,
Harold Grinspoon
I feel privileged that I had a chance to work with Dr. Varvares at MEE. I will remember him as a thoughtful and caring leader whose professionalism was examplary. It is a big loss for professional staff at MEE and his patients.
My sincere condolences are going to his family and friends.
It was such an honor to work with Mark at MEEI. He was a resident and I was a new nurse. Everyone learned so much from him over the years. We all loved hearing stories of his family esp. his daughters.
He was such a caring person often going out of his way for staff members who were sick or our parents and quickly finding someone who was able to treat them immediately.
He will be forever remembered.
My deepest condolences to his family .
There are certain people who enter our lives not only as teachers or mentors, but as guiding lights whose kindness, humanity, and dedication leave a permanent mark on our journey. Dr. Mark Varvares was one of those rare individuals.
I first met Dr. Varvares when I was a freshly minted young doctor working at Aksum University in Ethiopia. He had come to Ethiopia as a volunteer physician with Partnership Ethiopia Inc., and from the very beginning, his passion for service and education was undeniable. Right away, he was ready to dive in and teach ENT classes with unmatched enthusiasm, energy, and eagerness. Despite his stature and accomplishments as a senior physician, he approached every interaction with humility, warmth, and genuine care for his students and patients alike.
What I will never forget most was not only his brilliance as a doctor, but his unwavering dedication as a mentor. Mark consistently gave his time, wisdom, and support with extraordinary generosity. He believed deeply in uplifting others, and he invested in people not because he had to, but because it was simply who he was. He mentored with compassion, patience, and a sincere desire to see others succeed.
During the darkest period of my life, when civil war broke out in my home region of Tigray in November 2020, Mark reached out to me immediately. At a time when my family was trapped in a war zone with no communication, uncertainty, fear, and heartbreak surrounded every moment. Yet Mark did not hesitate to call and ask how I was doing. More importantly, he asked a question I will never forget: “How can I help?”
He told me, “Put me to work,” and he honored those words with remarkable grace, integrity, and compassion. In moments when the world felt unbearably heavy, his kindness became a source of strength and hope. That level of humanity cannot be taught in medical school, nor measured by titles or achievements. It came from the depth of his character.
Mark dedicated his life to healing patients, teaching students, and mentoring countless individuals across the world. Many will remember him as an exceptional physician and leader, but I will always remember him for something even greater — his kindness, his loyalty, and his profound investment in people. He believed in me from the days of being a young doctor in Ethiopia to my journey toward becoming a public health leader and scientist in the U.S. His encouragement and support helped shape not only my career, but also the person I aspire to be.
His legacy lives on in every patient he cared for, every student he taught, and every life he touched with compassion and generosity. I am forever grateful to have known him, learned from him, and been mentored by him.
May his memory continue to inspire all of us to serve others with the same humility, excellence, and humanity that he embodied every single day.
This is so poignant and so true.. Bless you for sharing.
I had the honor of working with “Dr. V ” at both St. John’s and SLU. What a first class human being. His skill and compassion was evident with each and every patient he treated. He will be forever missed by those who were lucky enough to know him.
My warmest regards to his family. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Our prayers and sympathy’go out to an awesome and compassionate doctor’s family. Dr Mark treated me when others gave up. Because of him I was able to see my children’s college graduations, weddings and four grandchildren. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
Dr Mark went so for as to get me second and third option on my treatment plan. He called me evenings and weekends throughout the entire head and neck cancer process.
I’m am so sad we lost such an outstanding doctor and person. He made the world a better place in the lives he saved.
I am currently in the hospital fighting aspiration pneumonia and so saddened to miss the wake and funeral. My thoughts and prayers are continuously with Dr Mark and family.
My Deepest Sympathy to Chris & Family,
My thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time; may you have peace & comfort in wonderful memories. God Bless.
I am deeply saddened by the death of Mark Varvares. The world was a better place with him in it. He touched the lives of so many people–patients, staff, and students. I had the opportunity to work with him at SLUH from 2003 – 2015. As a nurse I cared for his patients post-op on 5N. Also in Rad Onc, I helped to coordinate the care of his patients continuing treatment.
Dr. Varvares was a genuinely kind and caring individual. My prayers are with his family at this difficult time. He will be missed by so many,
We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Mark Varvares. He was an outstanding physician and a researcher. As the Director of SLU cancer center, he made very important contributions. Personally, he was of great help in supporting some the research in our laboratory. Our condolences for the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.
We both met Mark at SLU Med School in 1982. He was our fellow classmate and friend. Although distance and time has separated us, that was a special time and a shared experience that has created a special bond with all of our SLU Med classmates. Prayers, condolences and peace to Mark and his family.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Vavares’ passing. He operated on me in 2010, and was incredibly kind and supportive throughout the process. I have never been to a physician who showed more empathy for his patients. He personally called me after my surgery to give me lab results and again a few days later to check on how I was doing. You don’t find that kind of compassion and care often today. The world has lost a truly great physician and person. My sincere condolences to his family. I will keep you in my prayers.
This sad news is very upsetting. I’ll never forget this great Man/Doctor. I was so fortunate to be under his care. He saved my life. I know there is a place in heaven for Dr V. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. The medical profession lost one of their best. My condolences to Mark’s family.
I was blessed to have had Dr Varvares as my doctor at MEE. I accredit him and his team for saving my life, and accomplishing my goal of getting to see each of my 3 children graduate High School and beyond over the last 8 years. He somehow eased my fears in undergoing a 12 hour surgery for the removal of a rare h&n cancer, and facilitated reconstruction that has given me the ability to live a normal life. He was so kind and always asked about my family, would spend as much time answering questions and always putting myself and my husband at ease. I am so sad that I will not get to see him at my now “Yearly”appointments. To his wife and daughters, I’m so sorry for your loss, Mark was the most amazing doctor I have ever seen and I will never forget the grace and goodness he showed to me during the most difficult time of my life.
Forever Grateful;
Lisa Fox
A brilliant surgeon, a skilled leader, an inspiring colleague and an enduring friend. He taught us surgery, humanity and humility. My condolences to Chris and his family. We will all miss this great man dearly.
Mark and I often talked about hockey at the hospital – he knew everything there was to know about the sport and was truly a loyal Blues fan. I remember going to a game with my sons one year, and there across the aisle and a few rows down was Mark, cheering away for what was then an awful team. I’m so glad he was able to see them win the cup, and I can only imagine the joy he felt walking around Boston the following day… I can still vividly remember seeing his face on the sides of the SLU shuttles, and I was always proud to point out to people that I knew him. He was a great doctor and a great friend.
My heart is sad. Dr V was an amazing human. He lived out his calling and did so with grace, kindness and love for his patients. He saved my life in 2022 and for that I do not have words for what I feel. God has gained an angel.
I’m sorry to hear about his passing. I actually had an a follow up appointment yesterday with his assistant. Dr. Varvares did my tongue cancer surgery. I asked for the best and was referred to Dr. Mark Varvares, They were not wrong, he showed me what quality care and compassion was all about. I’m still cancer free thank God. I believe the spirit was working through him not just for but for many others. One could tell he was a good man. I will miss him as my care surgeon but I know he is the New Kingdom. I hope and prey everybody gets there to see him again.
Our deepest sympathies to Chris, Tessa, Alexis and Sophie.
Mark was such a kind and caring man who’s legacy will live on through his beautiful family as well as impactful career.
On behalf of the SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer) family, we extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Mark Varvares’s family, friends, colleagues, and the countless patients whose lives he touched.
Dr. Varvares was not only an exceptional physician and leader in the field of head and neck cancer care, but also a compassionate advocate for patients and survivors. His unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those affected by head and neck cancer extended far beyond the clinic. He generously supported SPOHNC’s mission, championed patient advocacy initiatives, and helped establish our Boston support group chapter, creating a lasting source of hope and connection for patients and families.
Many within our community benefited from his kindness, expertise, and willingness to listen. He understood that healing involves more than treatment alone and recognized the importance of support, education, and survivorship.
Dr. Varvares leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of compassion, service, and dedication. His impact will continue to be felt through the patients he cared for, the colleagues he mentored, and the advocacy efforts he so passionately supported.
With gratitude and remembrance, we honor his life and the profound difference he made in our community.
With our deepest condolences,
The SPOHNC Family
I called Dr Varvares office today to sadly find out he had passed. I was on Patient Gateway looking to send a message to his office regarding some files and his name was no longer there. My heart sank but I thought maybe he just decided the return of his cancer was too much…. And when she said I’m sorry Diane But Dr….. I loved that man!!! He was my surgeon, part of an extraordinary team that saved my life as far as I’m concerned. The day I met with everyone and they told me what to expect during the surgery my eyes widen and I turned to my husband and wanted to cry but I bucked up and he told me I have a 75% chance of it never coming back. I said I’ll take those odds. I Left the office called all my siblings.. I was strong and confident.. that afternoon Mark called me to ask if I was OK. He said I know that was a lot. I said Doc. I’m ready let’s get this done. My surgery was 11 hrs. My poor husband waiting & worrying. Doc came and told him they were closing me up and all went well. Greg and I truly loved that man. We called him my boyfriend because I always had to dress up for him and bake him cookies. Or bring him something special for him, the nurses and staff. He was my rock. He knew how much my family appreciated him. I so sad the he did not survive the second return… I knew it wasn’t good but me being a positive person I hoped upon hope that he would. Our deepest, deepest condolences to you Chris, I never met you but he talked fondly about you and his children… he had the best bedside manner of any Dr I have ever had. … my heart breaks for every people he has ever come in contact with. He was an amazing person. God speed Mark and know that Greg and I can never repay you. Diane & Greg Shields, Dedham, MA
One can hardly say Mark without saying Chris. To me, they created such a beautiful gift for all of whom experienced Mark and Chris as having one of the most dedicated and inspiring marriages not typical to encounter.
This tribute honoring Mark reflects his humility yet states his remarkably accomplishments! Thank you for sharing such a touching and well written remembrance.,
May your fond memories of Mark/your Dad sustain you as you are grieving . Y’all have been so courageous… especially Mark! With Love, Light & Peace, Shannon
I am still in shock and as tears roll down my face. I am so sorry for the passing of Prof. Mark. thank you for being more than a mentor, a father and dare me to achieve so much in our head and neck department here in Mbarara, Uganda. he was always willing to help and answered all email consultations. thank you for the cadaveric dissection teachings and surgical skills gained. may the good Lord shine His light upon him. J.