December 10, 1962 - December 15, 2018
Mark, a resident of Marsh Lake, Yukon, passed away in Vancouver General Hospital with his brother by his side and surrounded by loving thoughts from family and friends. He will be sadly missed by friends and family, including his mother Gisela, sister Anita Erschen-Pappas (Dean), nephew Basil, and niece Toula of Peterborough, ON, and brother Frank (Diane) of Thornhill, ON. He is preceded in death by his father Andre of Sault Ste. Marie, ON.
Mark was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. He attended Cody Public School and Bawating Collegiate and Vocational School before being awarded a full scholarship at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he competed as an all-around gymnast. In a 1983 Great Lakes League competition he set a school record for his total score on floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar, and during his collegiate career he won numerous individual competitions as well.
Mark also toured Europe twice for competitions and exhibitions. An injury paused his career and following a strong final year he transformed into a coach which took him to Whitehorse, Yukon in the eighties. He attended Yukon College where he became an electronic communication technician enabling him to install and maintain radio/television sites around the territory. Later, also through Yukon College, he became an accomplished Red Seal Carpenter and his craft is proudly displayed at the homes of many friends and family.
He loved the outdoors, working with his hands, Premier League English football (Liverpool!), crosswords and sudoku, and - especially - the peace and friendships of the Yukon. Mark and the Yukon were kindred spirits. He settled in Marsh Lake and married Lea-Ann Dorval; while no longer married, they remained good friends. He was a volunteer firefighter and active in the community, always lending a hand. Mark was a kind, quiet soul and a good friend to many; he lives on in warm memories.
A memorial service will be planned at Marsh Lake in June after the ice melts.
Donations in memory of Mark to those who supported him and his family through his illnesses are appreciated: Honour House Society (honourhouse.ca), Vancouver General Hospital (vghfoundation.ca), Whitehorse General Hospital (yukonhospitals.ca), and Marsh Lake Volunteer Fire Rescue (contact: huffylu@gmail.com).