Ocean City Mourns Loss Of Former Public Relations Director

OCEAN CITY, NJ - Ocean City is mourning the loss of Mark Soifer, who helped define Ocean City as "America's Greatest Family Resort" in a 45-year career as the city’s public relations director.

Soifer died over the weekend at age 89, officials said.

After serving in the army and working in public relations in Philadelphia and Vineland, Soifer came to work for Ocean City in 1971.

He is credited with bringing events such as First Night and the Doo Dah Parade to Ocean City, sustaining traditions such as the Baby Parade and Night in Venice and creating an array of unique family-oriented activities for the city, including Miss Crustacean Pageants, Woof N Paws Pet Fashion Shows, Weird Weeks, Freckle Contests and Mr. Mature America Pageants.

Mayor Jay Gillian, his wife and city employees have extended condolences to Soifer’s family, according to an announcement from city spokesman Doug Bergen on Monday.

“It’s hard to imagine an Ocean City without Mark,” Mayor Jay A. Gillian said. “Everything he did had a simple message: Ocean City is a great place for families, and generations of residents and guests have enjoyed the results of his work.”

Soifer retired in 2016 after 45 years in his role with the city.

The park at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue — the former City Hall Annex, where he worked — was dedicated as Mark Soifer Park in 2016. He was honored as Citizen of the Decade in 2013.

“He was before his time,” said Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michele Gillian. “His signature events make Ocean City what it is, and they have been recognized throughout the nation and the world. I always said we have the beach, the boardwalk, the bay – and Mark Soifer.”