In Memory of

Mark

Alan

Yanaway

Obituary for Mark Alan Yanaway

COL Mark Alan Yanaway

Litchfield - COL Mark Alan Yanaway, U.S. Army Reserve, 54 of Litchfield, CT passed away on June 2nd, 2018. He was the son of Mary Yanaway Robinson and the late LT Philip Yanaway, USCG. He was born in Grantsburg WI on February 11, 1964. He grew up in Groton, CT and graduated from Fitch High School in 1982. He married the former Anne Zimmerman on September 2, 1995.

In addition to his wife, COL Yanaway is survived by his daughter Abigail and son Henry, his mother Mary Robinson and step-father CAPT Mitchell Robinson, USNR, of New London, CT, his brothers Eric (Laurie) of Marlborough, MA & Dana (Terry) of South Windsor, CT; father and mother-in-law Alan and Kathryn Zimmerman and brother in law Ethan Zimmerman of Blairsville, GA and nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by his grandparents, Irl and Helen Yanaway of Cedar Rapids, IA and Walter and Ella Johnson of Grantsburg, WI.

COL Yanaway taught social studies at Wamogo High School Region 6 in Litchfield CT for 14 years and served as Vice President of the school’s Educator’s Association. Mark was active in his community as member of St. Michael’s Parish, where he had recently served as Junior Warden. He was Post-Commander of the Morgan-Weir American Legion Post 27 in Litchfield, CT, was active in Boy Scout Troop 29 and Cub Scout Pack 31, a member of the First Litchfield Artillery Regiment, and was spearheading the new War on Terror Monument for the Litchfield Town Green.

He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in May 2014 following a distinguished 32 year career, which included deployments to plan the air offensive against Serbia, to Albania to build refugee camps, and Kosovo to assist in rebuilding the government in 1999; to Iraq in 2003-4 as a Strategist for CJTF-7 and liaison to the Iraqi Governing Council; to Iraq again in 2007-8 as the Deputy Team Leader of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in al-Hillah (Babylon); and finally to Djibouti in 2011-2012 as the Director of Civil Military Operations and Commander of the Army Element for CJTF-HOA. He commanded three companies of the 2nd Bn, 417th Infantry Regiment in Norwich, CT. He commanded the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion in Arden Hills, MN and the Army Command Element for CJTF-HOA.

COL Yanaway graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Master’s Degree in Anthropology, from St. Xavier University with a Master’s Degree in Education and from the Army War College with a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies. He spoke French and Arabic. His awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Parachutist Badge.

The family will greet friends between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm at Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, CT 06759 on Friday, June 8.
An additional visiting hour will be from 9:00 – 10:45 on Saturday June 9 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 25 South Street , Litchfield, CT 06759.
The funeral will be held at 11:00 on Saturday June 9 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
A grave-side service and internment will be at Elm Grove cemetery, 197 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355 at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 12.

Donations may be given in Mark’s memory to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 248, Litchfield, CT 06759.