Dr. Noel Mark Noël

We are sad to share the passing of Dr. Noel Mark Noël, a long-time Sarasota, FL resident, who died on September 14, 2021, at the age of 71. He was incredibly proud of his family. He will be missed beyond words. Noel was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Joseph and Florence Lavenka. Shortly after graduating high school, he joined the United States Army, reaching Sergeant/Specialist in the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (Army Bomb Disposal Squad), 55Delta30. After the military, Noel continued onto college, obtaining a bachelors, masters, and a doctorate in Marketing with a minor in statistics and quantitative methods. Between his Masters and Doctorate program, Noel worked in Eindhoven, The Netherlands for Philips’ N.V. as an economist and lobbyist. As a businessman and economist at heart, Noel founded and partnered in multiple business ventures while sharing his learnings and teaching at numerous universities in the Midwest, including the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, University of Kentucky, Marquette University, Loyola University of Chicago, and Indiana University Northwest. In 1998, Noel moved with his family from Chicago, IL, to Sarasota, FL, to teach undergraduate and graduate business courses, including the Capstone Integrated MBA course, at the University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee. He retired in 2020. Noel was an active community member serving on the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Contribution to Entrepreneurship in 2010 and was an Annual Small Business Awards Judge. Noel was also a member of Leadership Sarasota County and Legal Services Corporation Executive Committee receiving the LSC Executive Committee Certificate of Appreciation. He was a literary scholar publishing numerous articles and proceedings, including his book, Currencies and Cultures published in 2019. When Noel was not teaching, his cooking took center stage. He delighted friends and family nightly with dishes from around the world. He was constantly reading, often sharing historical fun facts over one of his themed dinners. He was quick with a joke and could fill a room with his laugh. Noel is survived by his wife, Jane A. Paquette II, daughter Jane Noël, son Nicholas Noël, brother Lee Lavenka and wife Joanne Lavenka, brother Joe Lavenka and wife Janice Lavenka, and other relatives. The family extends their grateful appreciation to Dr. Mark H. Brus, whose care was an invaluable comfort, and to Noel’s doctors and nurses at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. A private family service will be held to commemorate Noel and his life. Noel enjoyed weekend coffee and talks at the Bay Front with his family and friends. The family is dedicating a park bench in Noel’s name. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Noel’s memorial bench and plaque can be sent to Jane Paquette at 3133 59th St. Sarasota, FL 34243. The family is working directly with the City of Sarasota to purchase and install the bench with a plaque. Any excess memorial contributions will be donated to The Humane Society of Sarasota County and Meals on Wheels of Sarasota.

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Dr. Noel Mark Noël

September 14, 2021