Sunday, February 11, 2024
As Mark’s six-year older brother, I was closest to him in his early life. As a grade school student, Mark was above average and was always interested in TV and sports. When our parents had a car wash business, from 1955-58, I was a pre-teenager and had to take care of him every Saturday and holidays, which usually meant bringing him along whenever I went with my fiends my friends to the movies, so we both developed a life-long love of cinema.
Mark later attended the 3-year New Utrecht High School, where he became a quarterback for their football team. This was a great experience for him, but it unfortunately resulted in damage to his knee, which ended his football career, as he was no longer able to run. Despite that he was always very sporty and able to hike in the mountains, so he adapted very well to living in Colorado, close to the Rockies.
Unfortunately, he gradually lost that ability a few years ago, and I am glad that I was able to visit with Mark and Susan at the end of November, when he was still able to walk and was fully alert mentally. We watched old films and listened to old music (especially soft English rock from the 70s), just like we always had when we were together in New York and later by our parents in Florida or in Colorado, whenever we were together.
When I was younger, I had a very good memory, but Mark’s memory for detail was even better than mine.
Despite his physical ailments, he continued his physically and mentally active lifestyle almost to the very end, as he had a very strong will to live, up to a week before his passing away. Now, all I can do is reminisce about him and share in the sorrow of never seeing him again, shared by his loved ones.
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