Mark Cordes, 59, landscape designer

Mark M. Cordes, 59, of Drexel Hill, a landscape designer and community volunteer, died Friday, July 24, of cancer at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., and reared in Broomall, Mr. Cordes was the son of Ruth and George Cordes. He attended Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Delaware County, and Villanova University.

A talented high school athlete, Mr. Cordes earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball.

He received many offers to play football at other schools, but chose Villanova, where he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing.

In 1979, he founded Mark Cordes Landscape Design Co. in Broomall. The business is being run by son Matthew.

Mr. Cordes' creative vision was recognized in 2006 and 2008, when he won first place for best entryway design at the Philadelphia Flower Show. He could picture plants and shrubs as a stunning enhancement to buildings.

"He always said color was very important, when he designed, for all four seasons," said his wife, Jeanne Foti-Cordes. "He was good at it."

Mr. Cordes and his future wife met during his junior year in high school. They married in 1986 and settled in Drexel Hill, where they raised three children.

An active community worker, Mr. Cordes volunteered with the Llanerch Hills Little League, Cub Scouts, St. Andrew's CYO girls basketball and boys baseball, and YMCA soccer. He was vice president of the Cardinal O'Hara Alumni Association and was active with the Villanova Blue and White Club.

For achievements on and off the playing field, Mr. Cordes was inducted into the Cardinal O'Hara Hall of Fame in 1999 and again in 2014.

"Mark's warm personality and easy smile will be dearly missed," his family said in a tribute.

Besides his wife and son, he is survived by a daughter, Amy; a son, Gabriel; a granddaughter; four brothers; two sisters; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Wednesday, July 29.

Donations may be made to Cardinal O'Hara High School, 1701 S. Sproul Rd., Springfield, Pa. 19064.