Jonathan Mark Hancox was born at Fitkin Hospital (now Jersey Shore University MC) and was a lifelong resident of the south Monmouth county beach community. He is survived by his wife Penny and her children Abigail (Jason) and John (Kory).While growing up in Ocean Grove he held several summer jobs including Palace Amusements where he operated various rides including the Swan Boat.He is a graduate of The Perkiomen School Pennsburg, PA where he was a member of the football team and student council. His college career began at the University of the Americas, then in Mexico City, DF. While in Mexico City he traveled to Acapulco and Vera Cruz and completed the climb of Mt. Popocatepeh at over 17k feet. Upon returning to the U.S., he entered C.W. Post College of Long Island University. While at LIU Post he was a member of the crew team and active in campus political life. Graduating in 1970 with a BA in English Literature.After graduation, he entered the Army in Ft. Jackson, SC, where he completed Basic and Advanced Infantry Training. He was selected for, and graduated from, Infantry Officers Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA, receiving his commission as an Infantry 2nd Lt. His active duty tour took him to West Germany for 3 years. While stationed in Germany he was sent to the Defense Race Relations Institute at Patrick AFB in Florida. Upon returning to Germany he was assigned as the Race Relations Officer with the 3rd Infantry Division. After his tour of duty he received the Army Commendation Medal for his work as Senior Instructor. Released from active duty in 1975 in Germany, he began a six month tour of Europe from Scandinavia to Gibraltar, spending a month in Paris.Returning to civilian life, he worked as a Procurement Analyst at Ft. Monmouth primarily with Satellite Communications. He was an active member of his professional organization, National Contract Management Association, holding several different offices. He won the Department of the Army Competition in Contracting Award and was named to the International Who's Who of Professionals for 2001-2002. Awarded upon retirement the Department of the Army Achievement Medal.During retirement he was an active member of American Legion Post 346 in Neptune, volunteering for various jobs as the need arose. He is also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and Society of the Third Infantry Division.Mark contributed for many years to Fulfill, the Monmouth Ocean Food Bank, and was a Silo for Hope Member. He was also a Loyal Giving Society Member of the Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation.He began surfing in 1964 and was a loyal Hobie surfboard rider, getting his boards shipped in from California. His favorite vacations were on the Windjammer Barefoot Cruises tall ships, sailing on them throughout the Caribbean Islands from Vieques, Puerto Rico to Granada.Mark hopes that all will make a stop by their favorite bar and leave a big tip for the bartender in his honor.Friends and family are invited to call at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home Friday October 27th from 3pm to 6pm. Donations in Mark's honor may be made to Fulfill or the JSUMC Foundation.