It is with great sadness that we share that Mark passed away peacefully, on March 14, 2025, at the age of 67.

He was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth; and brother, Ian. Mark will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Dee; daughters Shannon (Andrew), and Paige; sister Sheila (Bob); nieces and nephew.

Mark was born in Edmonton, and grew up there for most of his life, with one adventure year for the family in San Diego. He graduated from McNally High School, where he played football. He then obtained his diploma in Business Administration from NAIT. He met his wife, Dee, at NAIT and married her shortly after their graduation.

Mark started his career in the insolvency division of a chartered accounting firm in Edmonton. Mark and Dee enjoyed many years in Edmonton, where they spent their time traveling, golfing, skiing, and raising their first dog, Kato – the frisbee obsessed collie. They welcomed their first daughter, Shannon, in 1987.

When Mark began his career with the Government of Alberta in 1988, they relocated to Red Deer. They welcomed their second child, Paige in 1990, and spent their remaining years as a family making Red Deer home.

Mark enjoyed family trips and always seemed to be the one doing the adventurous activities with the girls, like rollercoasters at Disneyland, boogie boarding, snorkeling, and white water rafting in Maui. He was dedicated to raising well-mannered girls and he was always seen at their soccer and baseball games, cheering for them with a cigar in hand. Shannon has fond memories of getting picked up from school for special at-home lunches, being allowed to shift gears in his Subaru wagon, and watching the Flintstone’s while eating grilled cheese sandwiches. He was uniquely thoughtful, and one of Paige’s favourite Christmas gifts was a bulk order of cans of Greek beans that required a special trip to Edmonton, that were wrapped up on a toy plastic boat, to mimic it coming right from Greece. He also showed off his artistic skills, with many themed pinatas for birthday parties. Genie was probably the favourite.

Mark enjoyed golfing for many years in the Riverbend Men’s, and later, the Senior’s league. His hobbies were spending hours in the garage woodworking, sketching cars, and always helping the girls with building science projects. Their family dog, Mali, took him for many weekend walks to Three-Mile-Bend, where he liked meeting other dog-owners, and had the challenge of keeping Mali out of the stinky-pond.

Mark spent many weekends at their family’s rustic cabin west of Caroline, built by his father when he was 7 years old. The adventures changed with the seasons; from fishing and swimming in the river as a kid, to parties with his friends as a young adult, to hosting Survivor- based birthday parties for the girls, and finally to family quading adventures. He was always supportive and proud of his girls, even if it required moving them around the province and Canada for their schooling. He was really thrilled when they finally both settled in Edmonton.

Mark retired from the Government of Alberta, Corporate Affairs in 2010 after over 20 years of service as a Senior Investigator – Peace Officer. His girls described his job as half police and half lawyer, as they really didn’t know what his title really meant. He was dedicated and passionate about his career, always advocating for consumer rights. Being an investigator was in his DNA.

After retirement, Mark started an informal position as neighborhood patrol, where he spent many hours walking the neighborhood, chatting with anyone out and about. A few days without seeing Mark, the neighbors were already asking questions. When he had the chance, he was proud to parade his grand-puppy, Mikli, around the block with him. Milki takes after his grand-paw, with a love for football.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to know Mark, would know he had a great sense of humor and an ability to talk to anyone. He will be greatly missed but there are many, many, memories to look back on to celebrate a wonderful life lived.

At Mark’s wishes, there will be no memorial service.

Instead, in memory of Mark, please raise a glass, and toast the good times. Or, enjoy a cigar!

Memorial donations may be made to the Diabetes Association of Canada.

• Date : 2025-03-14
• Location : Red Deer Funeral Home