Mark R. Murawski

Mark R. Murawski, 63, of Loyalsock Township, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, June 5, 2026. Born May 29, 1963, in McKeesport, PA, he was the son of Richard A. Murawski, of Montoursville, and the late Joan O. Murawski. He is survived by his father, Richard; his life partner of 14 years, Laura L. Templeton of Williamsport; his three children, Matthew R. Murawski of State College, Leah J. Murawski (Quinton) of Salladasburg, and Rachael A. Murawski of Loyalsock Township; granddaughter Melody Murawski and grandson Kasey Shade.

A beloved and active member of the community, Murawski retired in December 2018 after 32 years with the Lycoming County Planning Department, where he continued to maintain an office and contribute his expertise to regional and state transportation planning initiatives even after his retirement. He was former president of the Route 15 Coalition, a regional advocacy group that successfully lobbied for the modernization and four-lane expansion of the U.S. Route 15 corridor in northcentral Pennsylvania. This work resulted in the addition of the scenic Route 15 Tioga County Welcome Center, the construction of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (scheduled for completion in 2028) and laying the groundwork for federal designation of the I-99 Corridor, with anticipated completion in 2030. He was chairman of the Williamsport Regional Airport Authority for 10 years and a board member for 12 years. During his tenure, the runway was extended to accommodate larger aircraft, and the seeds were sown for the replacement of the terminal building. For decades, he led the efforts of the Williamsport Area Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (WATS MPO) and was the primary author of the 2013-2033 WATS/Lycoming County Long-Range Transportation Plan, outlining a comprehensive two-decade multimodal vision for roads, bridges, rail freight, transit, air service, and pedestrian trails/bikeways throughout the county. During his career as Lycoming County Transportation Planner and Supervisor, he worked closely with many municipalities and PennDOT District 3-0 to rehabilitate or replace numerous bridges in the region. He was instrumental in establishing the first countywide Small Bridge Inspection Program in the Commonwealth and later in his tenure, he was the “architect” for Lycoming County’s Bridge Bundling Program, which involved grouping multiple bridges under one construction contract and leveraging a unique funding strategy through a PennDOT PIB loan that was paid back through a $5 surcharge on annual vehicle registration fees. This program was also the first of its kind in the Commonwealth and has served as a model for other counties because of the significant cost and time savings realized. In addition to the bridge-bundling structures, Murawski participated in the coordination of many other bridge projects ranging from rural covered bridges to the Market St. Bridge reconstruction. This bridge replacement was pivotal to the project of which he was most proud–the Susquehanna River Walk. An avid runner since high school, Murawski could be found many mornings on the River Walk, and he was always gratified to see others in the community enjoying the River Walk, too. Many local planners whom Murawski mentored continue to oversee the River Walk extension, with plans to connect to Pine Creek Trail and eventually become a leg of the Genessee-Susquehanna Greenway, which will run from Lake Ontario into Maryland. Murawski served on the PA Wilds Planning Team Trail Committee and as Lycoming County Planning representative on the Pine Creek Rail Trail Advisory Committee. For his outstanding leadership in trail development, he received the “Champion of the PA Wilds” award in 2015. Even after official retirement, Murawski remained very active in transportation planning both locally and across the Commonwealth. In 2025, he was appointed to the River Valley Transit Authority (RVTA) Board of Directors. At the state level, he continued to serve as the vice chair of the state Transportation Advisory Committee and vice chair and secretary of the state Aviation Advisory Committee, both of which provide guidance to PennDOT’s Secretary of Transportation. He was a founding member of Public ARTWORKS, a subcommittee of Lycoming Arts, which focuses on beautifying the greater Williamsport area with art in public spaces. At the time of his passing, he was serving as Public ARTWORKS’ treasurer and was helping to coordinate a new downtown mural. Murawski’s work for the betterment of the community garnered him recognition in 2016 as a finalist for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette Person of the Year. A gifted public speaker, he will be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, love of family and friends, keen interest in debating current events, fond reminiscing of his college days at Clarion University and Penn State University, and his lifelong interest in coin collecting and numismatic history.

Funeral Service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 733 Broad Street Montoursville, with Pastor Tim P. Snyder officiating. A private family burial will follow at Wildwood Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mark’s name to Public ARTWORKS, 46 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701 or Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Lock Haven Chapter, 127 Tobacco Shed Rd., Lock Haven, PA 17745.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.