UPDATE 10/12/2026:
Hi everyone,
Thank you for all of the love and support and for sharing all of your photos and stories of Mark with us. After looking more into finances and what the future holds for my mom I have decided to raise the total for the donations. My mom has not been working for a few months now because she has been caring for my grandmother. My main concern is making sure that my mom is able to keep her home where her and my younger brother Michael live. Mark spent the last 30 years pouring all of his time and energy into building our home and I want to make sure that nothing happens to it. Our home is an extension of him and the love that he has shown us our entire lives and making sure that we can keep it is the most important thing to us. Thank you for sharing, donating, and all of the kind words.
-Bonnie
On Thursday, October 8th, 2026, our family lost someone so incredibly special. Mark passed away in an accident and we are now trying to navigate life without someone whose presence could light up any room.
If you knew Mark, you knew he was the life of the party. He was loud, outgoing, and one of the most social people you could ever meet. He was so well known that we always joked with him and called him “Mayor Mark” because no matter where we went, he always seemed to know someone and if he didn't know anyone in the room he'd introduce himself and start talking. Whether we were at the grocery store, out at a restaurant, or simply walking down the street, he had a way of making connections with people everywhere he went, and you could never take him anywhere without stopping to talk to someone.
But beyond his big personality and the way he could make a room come alive, Mark had a heart just as big as his presence. He was the kind of dad, brother, grandpa and friend who would answer the phone late at night if anyone needed help. If your car broke down or something needed fixing at home, he wouldn't just tell you he was there for you he'd show up. That's the kind of person he was. He showed his love being a helper and by being there when people needed him.
One of the things that has always meant so much to me is that Mark and my mom shared that same giving nature. My mom has always been the kind of person who puts others before herself, always willing to lend a hand, offer support, or show up for the people she loves. Together, they were the kind of people others could count on.
Now, as my mom faces the unimaginable pain of losing her husband, My sister Alexis and brother Michael want to do what we can to support her the way she and Mark have been there for so many others throughout their lives.
I'm creating this GoFundMe to help cover the cost of a service and celebration of life for Mark, where family and friends can come together to share memories, honor the life he lived, and say goodbye. I also hope to help ease some of the financial stress my mom is now facing throughout the rest of this month as she tries to navigate this loss and figure out what comes next.
My initial fundraising goal is $10,000 to help cover these immediate expenses and give my mom some financial breathing room during this incredibly difficult time. As we learn more about her financial situation and the expenses ahead, I may need to adjust the goal.
I know everyone has their own struggles and responsibilities, and I never want anyone to feel obligated to give. If you're able to donate, any amount would mean more to us than I can put into words. If donating isn't possible, sharing this fundraiser would be just as appreciated.
Right now, I simply want to help take some of the weight off my mom's shoulders so she can focus on grieving and taking things one day at a time without having to worry quite so much about the financial burden in front of her.
Mark spent so much of his life showing up for other people. He was the person you could call when you needed help, the familiar face you could count on running into anywhere, and the guy who could turn an ordinary trip to the store into a series of conversations with friends. He leaves behind so many memories and so many people who knew and loved him.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read this, for sharing your memories of Mark, for keeping our family in your thoughts, and for any support you can offer. Every donation, share, kind word, and act of kindness means more than you know.
We will be posting the info about Mark's celebration of life later this week on his Facebook.
Thank you for helping us take care of my mom during a time when she needs it most. ❤️
With love and gratitude.
