Dr. Ira Marks died at home in Old Chatham on Tuesday, March 8th. A Brooklyn native, Ira Marks graduated from James Madison High School, Bethany College in West Virginia, and Harvard Medical School.  He served as President of his Harvard Medical School class. Dr. Marks was an Intern in Medicine from 1959 to 1960 at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill and completed his residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital in Boston.  From 1962 to 1964, he practiced pediatrics as a Captain in the Air Force at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., earning the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. In 1964, Dr. Marks  moved to the Chatham area with his wife, Susannah, where he practiced pediatrics for over forty years, for most of those years in partnership with Dr. Lawrence Greitzer.  Dr. Marks began working at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson in 1964 and assumed the role of Chief of the Department of Pediatrics from 1978 to 1989.  He also worked from 1966 to 2000 at the Berkshire Farm Center for Youth; from 1975 to 2000 at the Brookwood Secure Center, a juvenile detention center for boys; and as the school physician for Chatham Central School for many years.  In addition, he served as a member of the New York State Council for Graduate Medical Education Board from 1989 to 1992. Outside of doctoring, Dr. Marks took an active role in local affairs.  He participated as a member of the Town of Chatham Comprehensive Planning Board and the Town of Chatham Ethics Board, and he helped lead efforts to prevent the establishment of a cement plant in Columbia County.  He also served for a year as President of the Tri-Village Fire Company. His career included memorable roles in the musical "Annie" at the Chatham High School and in the play "Our Town" at PS21, and he was a member of the same monthly reading group for over thirty years. Dr. Marks is survived by Susannah, his wife of 49 years; their three children, Sarah, Ilana, and Jared; their grandchildren, Matthew, Joshua, Isabel, Emily, Noah, Esme, and Amelie; and his brother, Sidney. In honor of Dr. Marks's wishes, there will be no memorial service. Friends and neighbors are welcome to come to his home Saturday, March 12th or Sunday, March 13th, 2-5 p.m., to sit with the family. Donations may be made to the Tri-Village Fire Company. On line condolences may be sent at www.frenchblasl.com.