ANDOVER, MA — With broken hearts and tearful remembrance, the aviation world and the town of Andover are mourning the loss of Lt. Cmdr. Mark “Gucci” Dunleavy — a former Blue Angels demonstration pilot and esteemed JetBlue captain — who passed away following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mark’s passing has left an immeasurable void in the skies he once graced and in the lives of those privileged to know him. Known not only for his elite aviation skills, but for his humility, grace, and profound kindness, Mark was the kind of man who made everyone around him feel grounded, seen, and safe.

As a Navy pilot, Mark flew with honor and precision, serving his country with dignity. As a commercial airline captain, he guided countless flights with calm assurance and quiet excellence. But it was who he was beyond the cockpit that defined him most deeply — a loyal friend, a compassionate listener, a devoted father, and a man who touched lives not with fanfare, but with genuine heart.

“He was the kind of person who didn’t just listen — he heard you,” said one close friend. “Mark had this extraordinary way of making you feel capable and strong. He helped me become a better mother. His presence made us better people.”

Colleagues describe him as a man without ego — rare in the aviation world — whose soft-spoken nature and humility stood in stark contrast to his remarkable achievements. Whether mentoring others, offering a quiet word of encouragement, or simply showing up with kindness, Mark’s legacy is one of service, humanity, and love.

Mark Dunleavy leaves behind two beloved children, his proud family, and a community deeply grateful to have known him. His impact continues in the lives he shaped, the skies he soared, and the hearts he forever touched.

Please keep his loved ones in your prayers. Cancer may have claimed his body, but it could never touch the spirit of a man like Mark.

He flew with angels once — and now, he flies among them