Dennis (Mark) DeMello passed away on September 11, 2016, at the age of 73 after recently being diagnosed with advanced cancer. He was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Mark left New England at a young age and joined the U.S. Army where he served as a motion picture and still photographer covering weapons tests, combat, and pacification programs in Vietnam. After his service, Mark came to New York City to explore his interests in the arts. There he attended the New York Institute of Photography and the International Center of Photography in New York, and pursued his career as a professional photographer. During this time he spent innumerable hours exploring the museums of New York City where he met his wife, Sonja Talesnik in the MoMA sculpture garden in the summer of 1976.

After responding to a classified ad in the New York Times, Mark was hired as a photographer for the Bronx Zoo. For almost 30 years, Mark chronicled the wildlife, and the people, of the Wildlife Conservation Society. As the staff photographer, Mark documented births, hatchings, and everyday life at the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park, Queens and Prospect Park Zoos and shared his insights as a teacher of photography and mentor to many. As an artist, with a signature style, Mark also produced a body of work that goes far beyond an historical record. Working closely with curators and keepers at WCS’s facilities, Mark enjoyed remarkable, often behind-the-scenes access to their more than 15,000 animal residents, from ants to zebras. His knowledge of animal behavior, infinite patience and his gifted eye – the constant requirements of wildlife photography – yielded the outstanding images that comprise his legacy.

His photographs have been exhibited at The Alfred Stieglitz Gallery and Aspect Gallery in New York City, the Florence Museum in Florence, South Carolina, and The Wildlife Gallery at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. Mark’s wildlife images have also been featured in numerous national and international magazines and newspapers, including the cover of Life magazine and Wildlife Conservation magazine.

Mark cherished his family as a gift, having overcome a difficult childhood with little family support. Mark’s love for his wife, Sonja, and two children, Erika and Peter was expressed through his unique kindness and outlook on living life in a way that savored the moment and celebrated the beauty of simplicity. A man of few words, Mark inspired in his children an appreciation of what he used to call an “alternative lifestyle”. Upon reflection, what we now know he meant was a love and appreciation for the arts and visualizing the world through a contemplative lens. He recognized the importance of experiences and, always encouraged his children to take risks and pursue passions. We will continue to honor and celebrate his compassion, gentle thoughtfulness, and poetic spirit, which lives on through his work and our memories.

In lieu of flowers, please join us in making a tribute gift to the Wildlife Conservation Society in memory of Dennis Mark DeMello.

How to make a tribute gift:
1. Go to www.wcs.org/support
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page click “Tribute giving” link
3. Honoree Information: In Memory of Dennis Mark DeMello
4. Recipient Information: Family of Dennis Mark DeMello
Address: 208 Edgewood Avenue Pleasantville, NY 10570
5. Complete respective fields in form
6. Click “Donate”