Favorite Memories of Mark

[coppersun2001]

As most of us can't be at the memorial tomorrow in Sosua, I thought that we might like to share some of our favorite memories of Mark.

Its hard for me to write about just one, so will share a few, you know me once I get started I don't shut up. I beg your indulgence.

My favorite:
I was talking to Mark this last trip about his and Colleens future in the DR. He never stopped smiling as he spoke about owining a bit of property where he could start a small farming operation. He got so excited he slipped off his chair, I laughed so hard that bang was on the ground right beside him. We must of looked like complete idiots. Fortunately for him and his dam legs could touch the ground so he really didn' land on his ass. I did. Like the gentleman he was he helped me up on to the stool and said very sternly" ok enough coffee for you!"

One thing he could never get over was the how word of mouth got around about the Checkpoint. It never ceases to amaze me how very humble both he and Colleen were about thier successful Bar. Well no doubt!! Mark and Colleen went above and beyond making sure tourist and visitors were treated like family. The were never to busy to answer questions, even if it was the same questions day in and day out. One questions was always asked,"so do you like it here?" I would be sitting at the bar (yes drinking coffee)( oh and by the way Colleens coffee is wayyyyyyy better than Marks was) and I would just chuckle when I heard someone ask them that. Mark would always smile that big boy smile with a twinkle in his eye, and the answer was always the same, "We love it here!"

Mark was forever being asked for advice or someone would ask a "typical tourist question" like my hubby and I did so many years ago, but again with that grin on his face he would stop what he was doing and answer their questions.

When I started assisting Colleen with this forum, I made a point one day to discuss Marks butt. This became a tradition for me when I would speak with Colleen, saying, oh and tell mister sweet cheeks hello, or give mister sweet cheeks a hug." He would just blush and turn all red. It became a really good joke at the bar later on.

We had the priviledge of spending Valentines day with them this year and a number of us went out for a late supper. It was wonderful. He had purchased a little something special for Colleen and she was so delighted with the necklace. He has an eye for picking the most unusual peices. We danced in the restaurant which was not usually done, but it was a wonderful warm and fun filled evening with good food and the most wonderful friends, some new but the nucuelus of the group were Colleen and Mark. They are the glue that so many of us bonded with others. I shall never let those friendships go.

Mark, Alf and I will always be indebted to you for allowing us to be in your Sosua family. We will look after Coll for you and always be there for her. We miss you and always will remember your smile and gentle ways, Mark you will always be in our hearts.

[RustyHalo]

Great idea, Copper!! Considering how many great memories of Mark there will be (from friends, relatives and Checkpoint visitors from all over the world) this thread will break records for the number of pages and it could go on for years!

My favorite memories about Mark actually involve Mark and Colleen, because from the day they got together there was no Mark or Colleen - it was always Mark&Colleen or Colleen&Mark - all one word.
A couple of my favorite memories are from their wedding day.
One was during the ceremony. They had written their own vows and Mark went first. When he finished expressing his love there was not a dry eye in the room - even the men were grabbing their wives tissues. We sat there and watched Colleen's face and thought "She's speechless - she's not going to be able to talk!" Then one of the men in the congregation put on a pair of those giant Halloween-type sunglasses and got her attention and she laughed which broke the trance and she was able to go on and say her vows.
Another memory of that day was at the reception, one of the uncles said a speech about how Mark could possibly have had female "companions" in his former single days before becoming engaged to Colleen and that if there was any woman present who had a key to his apartment, it should be returned now that he was a happily married man, so now would be a good time to give back the key. It had been set up earlier that every female in the room had a key ready in her hand and we all filed past Mark, giving him a peck on the cheek and handing him a key, starting with the maid of honor, then me, then every woman present, and the last woman to hand "her" key to Mark was Colleen's mom. I have never seen Mark turn so red or Colleen laugh so hysterically.
;D

[mizpiggy]

We are fondly remembering our friend today as I write this, with a toast of Brugal to a most wonderful human being. Mark, you will forever be in our hearts and never forgotten. Words cannot possibly express how heavy our hearts are right now, but we will cherish our fond memories of you as long as we live, and until we meet again some day.

We will remember you as one of the happiest people we have ever had the opportunity to be friends with, and your zest for life was so infectious. Your wit and charm was appreciated by many, and you surely took everyone you met into your happy arms.

Between being a part of the wonderful fund-raiser for the Sosua Kids, having a great time at the mini fiesta and spending the entire day this past winter at beach with you, Colleen, mom, Kris, Alf and Robyne, it was the most amazing time we have ever had on our many visits to Sosua. It was after those days that we really realized just how lucky we were to have a new extended family that was just so full of love, with you being at the helm.

So it is with heavy hearts that today we say "Happy travels Mark". We will see you again someday friend.

Dave and Kathy

[dot]

OMG - that "key" story is soooo good! That must have been one happy, funny wedding day!

We were at Checkpoint on Jan. 3/07 when a little girl came by with a tub of avocados on her head. Mark said she was his girlfriend and was teasing her - she had such beautiful eyes and a shy smile. Of course Mark picked out what he wanted and haggled with her on the price - not very hard though... Then, he gave her more than she asked for in the first place... such a softy!

I took a few photos and asked Mark if I sent him the photos would he print them and give them to her. He said he would and I asked him to tell her.... I thought his Spanish would be better than mine. He proceeded to tell her - very slowly and in English - what I had said... I go "Mark - where is your Spanish?" and he said "all my customers speak English - I don't get a chance to practice".... After I stopped laughing, I told the girl in my little bit of Spanish and she laughed.... It was so funny!

I took this pix of Mark in 2005 - Loved the saying on his shirt but, I know it didn't apply to him!

[andy]

mark was so nice to the avocado girl i will always remember her visits to see mark i hope shes ok .i had a few minutes silence today at 7pm here to remember this great person who i will miss like everybody who knew him. love to all andy

[sunny]

I met Mark and Colleen through Debbie's website under their plea for Clamatto juice and Player's light cigarettes. I was heading down to the Breezes resort and packed him some juice and brought him a pack of cigarettes. I didn't get to meet Colleen that day because she had the flu but Mark was a great help giving us directions to the supermarket to get some Barcelo.

On my latest trip to the Breezes, I again brought down some Clamatto juice for Mark but I didn't have the big Air Canada baggage allowance so had to sneak the juice on the plane. He cracked up when I told him how I had the bottles of juice in a carry on bag on wheels which I had beside me in the line up so it got a "cabin" sticker on it then my husband took it and sat down in the waiting area while I checked in. Going through security they guy asked me what was in the bottles and I told him what it was and why I was taking it and he told me to have a drink for him when I delivered the juice. You have to know that I am only 4'10" and when I boarded the plane, the case wouldn't fit under my seat and I can't reach the overhead bins so I was in a pickle. The flight attendant came by and offered to put the bag up for me and when she lifted it she almost dropped it so another attendant came over to help her. She said to me"They don't usually allow bags this heavy on as cabin baggage" to which I innocently said "well nobody said anything". Mark thought it was so funny that I would sneak the juice on to the plane just so they could make Cesar's for Canadians. I delivered the juice and in return Mark called his distributor and got me the big bottles of rum that I couldn't find in the stores. He was such a nice guy and I have really nice memories of him. I wasn't able to get down this year but my co-worker did and I sent Colleen some stuff. I spent this weekend at our cottage with my girlfriends and at 3:30 my time, which is 2:00 in the DR, we all stopped what we were doing and had a moment of silence and then we toasted Mark.

[clarebear]

I only got the chance to meet Mark once while I was in Sosua in March/April. I stopped by one day and was immediately welcomed by Mark and got chatting about my plans to move to DR. He offered advice and was so friendly. From that day, he remembered my name and said hi everytime he saw me and always made time to chat and smile. What a genuinely lovely man. What a tragedy it was for him to be taken away but at least all these happy memories will keep him alive in our hearts.

[koolkat]

The first and only time we met the "Sosua Dynamic Duo" was December 2006, our first time in Sosua. I had joined this forum last fall and instantly found friendship here. He and Colleen welcomed us with warm hugs, great food (Colleen's cheeseburgers = "A Euphoric Eating Experience"), great drinks and so much helpful advice. My hubby Brad felt so comfortable talking with Mark right away, which is unusual because he's generally pretty quiet and shy.

We felt right at home with these awesome folks. On our last day, Mark gave me a huge hug and I actually welled up with tears. We will always remember his radiant smile, warmth and geniune caring for all. What a wonderful gift he has been to this life and everyone who had the privilege to know and love him. He is a rare treasure who will always be loved and remembered fondly.

In fact, Brad recently mentioned that we should choose a resort near Sosua so we can hang out with you all again. We both really enjoyed being at Checkpoint, and plan to be in Sosua again later this year.