Southington Man Riding To Keep Late Wife's Memory Alive

SOUTHINGTON, CT — In 2018, a Southington woman responded to a Patch request for readers to submit their own personal love stories as part of a Valentine's Day celebration.

Back then, Elizabeth Orsini wrote a touching tribute to her husband, Mark Orsini. It appeared on the Southington Patch's website on Feb. 13, 2018.

Sadly, things took a turn for the worst after Elizabeth "Beth" Orsini's touching post. She was diagnosed with cancer not long after proclaiming her love for her husband.

By 2021, Mark Orsini was a widower as cancer uprooted his life and a worldwide pandemic uprooted life everywhere.

Now, Mark Orsini is participating in a bike ride next month to both raise money and awareness for cancer research/treatments and to keep the memory of his beloved wife alive.

Mark Orsini recently unveiled some heart-wrenching details of he and his wife's ordeal leading up to her death in May 2021.

He did so to point out why he is riding for his wife's memory — and why he's hoping the local community can help him raise money in her honor.

"Beth was soon diagnosed with cancer, suffered a stroke, and developed kidney failure. I left my job of 20 years to care for her. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, numerous doctor visits and hospital stays consumed our lives," wrote Mark Orsini to Patch.

"I took up all housekeeping and caregiving duties to keep her home and as comfortable as possible, all the while doing my best to shield her from Covid during the height of the pandemic."

Mark Orsini is promoting the Saturday, Sept. 10, "Closer to Free Ride," a bicycle-ride fundraiser in New Haven that benefits the Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, where much of his wife's war against cancer took place.

The event begins and ends at the Yale Bowl that Saturday, with participants choosing among five routes for the event.

Mark Orsini is participating in that event virtually, completing his riding from exercise bikes at Planet Fitness. So far, he's completed 94 miles toward his 100-mile goal.

As a start-up fundraiser prior to the "Closer to Free Ride," Mark Orsini is hosting "Beth's Bash 2022," a benefit event at the Witchdoctor Brewing Company, 168 Center St., Plantsville (a neighborhood in Southington) on Sunday, Aug. 28.

Mark Orsini called that event "a gathering for all to celebrate life and support the fight against cancer. "

"All are invited and yes, kids and dogs are most welcome! There will be live music and a children' program as well," he said.

Looking back on the days just before his wife's health problems and subsequent passing, Mark Orsini discussed his emotions after he checked the Patch website back in February 2018.

"Imagine my surprise while scrolling through morning posts over my first cup of coffee to see that my wife Elizabeth had answered that call," Mark Orsini said. "Reading 'A Love Letter To Mark Orsini' written by my beloved Beth (as she preferred to be called) warmed my heart. Not only was she the brightest light in my life, but also to the great many whose lives she had touched."

Though Beth Orsini is no longer with us physically, Mark Orsini said his wife's spirit still is.

And that's why he's continuing the fight against cancer, even though his wife's battle is over.

"Her light on Earth now shines eternal from the Heavens. My love letter to Beth is to keep her good name and beautiful soul alive," wrote Mark Orsini. "I have taken up the cause of cancer which take takes away life and liveliness from so many."

For more information on the 2022 Closer to Free Ride in New Haven and to donate in memory of Beth Orsini, click on this link.

For more information on the Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, click on this link.

From Elizabeth 'Beth' Orsini in 2018: 'A Love Letter To Mark Orsini'