Stories.....where can we start- in began appx 20 years ago. The first time we met was when Mark was working on his Bronco and I decided to walk across the street and take him some tacos. He loved them tacos. They became Bobbie's Tacos.
Then there was the time Al went over to watch a fight and decided to take Mark some Bacanora (Mexican Moonshine) Al & Mark finished the bottle and then Mark walked Al home across the street. Mark asked Al if he had a key and Al told Mark we better knock "We don't know who lives here". I answered the door and there they both holding each other up with arms around each other. The Bacanora was so good Mark was up the next morning mowing the lawn.
From that point we all became inseperable and had our weekend pool hang outs pretty often. (Can't forget the both of them had to have both matching speedos) We would start drinking early and then Al & Mark would go relax on the couch and take a Siesta.
Then we had the yearly Luau's in which we all worked real hard to put together. Jello shots, limbo, hoola hoop competition in which Mark always participated with his good ideas. Can't forget he had to put his plastic cucarachas in the side dishes just for fun.
We can't forget the gifts for Birthday Parties.... enemas, drug test kits, Alzhiemer's test kits, Chia Pets- always from the swap meet- his weekend ritual. Danielle's birthday party was a part of $100 bill. He always promised he she would get the rest to her in pieces.
We can't forget when Chris( Danielle's husband) was initiated- Mark had a name for all- That's a story that we will never tell but never forget.
Mark & Kathy were always a party of our family- There was Chris & Ren's wedding in Sedona- Mark messing with the hillevator and broke it. Chris & Danielle's wedding- he went around all the wedding party telling everyone he was "Uncle" Mark. They believed him!
There was always the crazy boat rides which Mark took us on. He always promised he would behave and then he would decided to do crazy things in the boat that would scare the crap out of anyone..
Never forget the last time Mark was here. We were preparing for Baby Shower for Baby Ella- Mark was helping us making a arrangment for strawberries filled with cream cheese. He made us laugh so much with cards for Baby Ella and Cruz. while he was telling Kathy what to write.
Then there was the time we went out for new years to the Rialto. We walked in got our drinks walked around checking the place out (grand opening) and Mark tells us don't say anything just follow me, we followed him heading up the the stairs to to the balcony when the two bouncers stopped us and Mark tells them were going up there. They tells us you can not ! Mark pulls out some cash and tells them again we are going up there! They tell Mark again you can not it's for VIP. Mark turns to us and tells us don't move I'll be right back. He goes and walks around the bar comes back and tells the guys listen you don't know who I am but I helped this guy open up the place, then the bouncers ask Mark "OK what's your name!" Mark pauses and says Steve Young, then the guys move out the way and say go ahead. We got up to the balcony where get treated like VIP's and had drinks brought up to us and all..
Mark was always the life of the party- everyone he met loved him.
Until we meet again- Al & I will always have you in our hearts and memories.
Love you our Marcus!!
Yes, it’s true. Motorized surfboards were once the rage… well, among a relatively small public, as only 200 were ever made.
Originally conceived by Alfred Bloomingdale, heir to the Bloomingdale Department Store fortune, who liked to surf, but didn’t like to paddle. The prototype was made of wood but didn’t hold up. This one, constructed like the wing of an airplane was manufactured here in Los Angeles. It’s hard to find one for sale, as most end up in surf museums. The speed of the board is controlled by the dial on the side. The leash connects to the board with a magnet, so if the surfer takes a spill, the leash detaches and kills the engine. It also has a convenient carrying handle. Everything is original including the paint and logo.
Mark loved working on the impossible, he rebuilt 4 of these classic motorized boards. As you can see in the video the engine runs like new. Mark had to make some of the engine parts and created a new fuel bladder that later became a sought after item by many who own these boards. Mark would test the boards in a pool in the back yard where we lived in Tucson. Everyday was an adventure in that yard! So many of these boards were saved due to Mark's mechanical creations and his sharing of that information as people from all around the US reached out to him. Mark has one left and it will be hanging in San Diego at his favorite surf shack where it can be admired by his true surfer friends.
I met Mark when he came to an Adult Power skating clinic we had 2 nights a week back in 1999 I think. I quickly became friends with him and four other guys...Gary, Joey "Bag O Doughnuts", McDonalds Mike, and one other I can't recall. Anyway, after hockey we would all go out and have a few wobbly pops and tell stories make jokes, and generally just laugh ourselves off the barstool for a good 3-4 hours until they closed the doors.
I moved away in 2004, Mark and I stayed in touch and I saw him a few times when we came back to Tucson. He would send me jokes and call me to check in, it was always great talking with him. He would catch me up on what all the boys were up to and if they were still playing hockey etc... I truly appreciated Marks friendship and missed those times when we would all hang out...and I can honestly say that I have not laughed like that since. You will be missed....keep skating Mark.
