Marc passed away on March 21, 2026. While he had a history of heart disease, he succumbed to amiodarone toxicity, a rare but devastating side effect of the medication he was given to stabilize his heart which caused severe and irreparable damage to his lungs.

Marc was born in Los Angeles, California to Samuel and Hortense Kerner on September 11, 1945. His father was a radio and movie producer and at a young age Marc brushed shoulders with the likes of Gene Autry, Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, and many other movie stars of that era. Marc spent his early years in the San Fernando Valley. As a budding Democrat he worked with others to try to establish the first free clinic in North Hollywood in the 1960s. He received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from California State University Northridge and did graduate work in Behavioral Science at California State University Dominguez Hills. In 1971 he married the love of his life, Linda, and together they raised two children, Aaron and Heidi. While living in southern California, Marc established the Youth Resource and Referral Network and in 1982 he received an award for outstanding community service from the San Fernando Valley Association of Coordinating Councils, a network of nonprofit social service agencies that provided safety net services to individuals and families in need. He also served as the Executive Director for Foothill Youth Services, an organization serving the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and La Canada Flintridge. In 1982, he received a commendation from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for his work to support at-risk youth and prevent them from becoming repeat offenders in the juvenile justice system.

In 1983, Marc moved his family to Felton after spending three summers camping at Henry Cowell State Park and falling in love with the natural beauty of the area. While raising his family in Zayante, Marc was actively involved in the SLV community and was a member of the Zayante Fire Auxiliary. He was employed by San Andreas Regional Center where he worked as a Case Manager serving individuals with developmental disabilities. A life-long Democrat, Marc was a member of the North County Democratic Club since 1983, and in 2017 he was honored to be named Democrat of the Year by the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party.

Marc was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, Nadine Kerner and Judy Flaherty, bother-in-law Daniel Flaherty, and numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Linda, children Aaron (Aki) and Heidi Kernytsky (Rain), four grandchildren, Ivy, Indigo, Axl, and Anders, sister-in-law Karin Woll, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved cats, Bella and Buddy. He was a kind and gentle man who loved his family and was a strong advocate for social justice. To his wife Linda, he was the wind beneath her wings and he was always, always on her side. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.