June 13, 1952 – February 8, 2019
Mark died suddenly in the early morning hours of Friday, February 8, despite the best efforts of Hamilton Paramedics, Fire Department and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Mark’s wife Kathryn is inconsolable, unable to imagine a world without her beautiful blond haired boy. Mark was home and doing well following rehabilitation at St. Peter’s Hospital after a lengthy stay at the Juravinski Hospital for biliary problems where he (and Kathryn) received outstanding care from Dr. Pablo Serrano, his wonderful assistant Sharon, and the fabulous ICU and E4 teams. Kathryn will be forever grateful for their superior skills, compassion and humanity. Kathryn and Mark were beyond happy that he was finally home, that they were together again, rebuilding their lives. The shock of Mark’s death is deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.
Mark was predeceased by his parents Albert and Jean Nelson and his father-in-law Jim Raycroft. He is survived by his brothers Rod (Judy), Carl (Pamela) and Tad Nelson, Kathryn’s mother Shirley and brother Ian (Francine) Raycroft, nephews and nieces Jenn, Sara, Scott (Kathryn), Brett (Christy) and Caitlin Nelson and Nicholas Raycroft, 8 great-nephews and nieces and Kathryn’s aunt and uncle Jean and David McLay. Mark will be forever missed by his great friends Alex van Nostrand, Emily Andrus, Barbara Evans and Gary Raycroft, best man Brian Ferguson and matron of honour Gwen Spencer, and many friends who treasured his kindness, wit and sense of humour. Cats Rita and Cici are taking good care of Kathryn, and he is now reunited with his favourite cat Rosie and guard cat Susie.
Mark and Kathryn were both born in Hamilton at Mount Hamilton Hospital (now the Juravinski). Mark grew up in Hamilton, Ancaster, Guelph and Kingston. They were living in Toronto when they met in 1989 and married in 1995. They were thrilled to move back home to the best city in the world in 2006, where Mark was able to reconnect with many childhood friends, including George Truman, Cathy Doholis and Doug Waterman. Mark had a varied career as a Buyer at Grafton Fraser, Inside Sales Rep at Wang (formerly Bull HN Info Systems) and Micro-Alternative Solutions, Funeral Director’s Assistant at Humphrey and Ogden Funeral Homes and Business Analyst at Hewlett-Packard.
He loved golf and somehow every time Mark and Kathryn vacationed, there was always a golf course nearby (they married on the 18th hole and honeymooned in Bermuda). Mark was a gymnast in high school and not too long ago could plank for 20 minutes without tiring. Who knows how long he could have planked if Kathryn hadn’t told him enough already. Mark loved music, especially Elvis, the Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot and Roy Orbison. He was a talented artist, guitarist and singer who played and sang in groups as a teen-ager, but who in later years was too modest to let many hear his talents. Kathryn married Mark because he was such a great cook; he did the cooking and grocery shopping for most of their lives together. He was an avid crossword puzzle solver and always won when he and Kathryn played card games and scrabble, much to her chagrin. He enjoyed a good discussion, and he loved to hang out at the West Town with old and new friends.
Kathryn loved Mark for his sharp sense of humour, his beautiful blue eyes and taupe hair (blond in the summer), his elegant, artistic hands, his lovely voice (nickname the mellow bellow), his loyalty, sensitivity, stubbornness, compassion, and intelligence. Kathryn can’t believe he’s gone; she was certain they’d be together for many years to come. It’s not the first time she’s been wrong (don’t tell her that).
Please share your thoughts and memories of Mark with Kathryn, and families and friends at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, on Tuesday, February 12th from 2 to 4 p.m. or Wednesday, February 13th from 1 to 2 p.m. Service Wednesday, February 13th at 2 p.m. with reception after. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hamilton Street Cats, in memory of a man who loved his cats almost as much as he loved his wife.
To lead a better life
I need my love to be here…
Here, there and everywhere.
I’m deeply sorry to hear this. Always in my thoughts.
Kelli
Kathryn, I am so sorry for your loss. Lean on those that love you, they will be your strength in the days ahead. Please reach out if you just want to talk about anything, I am here. Take care my friend
Dawne
Kathryn, Rodney, Carl, Tad , family and friends, I was saddened by the news of Marks passing … shocked is more like it … my deepest, sympathy! My love to all, Cousin, Carol Nelson … Robert Nelson’s #2 Daughter
Kathryn. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. My condolences to you and Marks family and extended family and friends. Hope to be in touch very soon
Joyce xxx
Kathryn,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and the family during this difficult time.
Ruth
Kathryn ,
I am so sorry to hear about Marks Passing . I will always cherish the memories of the many times we Golfed, worked and socialized together . He always had the ability to cheer me up or make me laugh when I was down. I am not sure if you know but it was Mark that helped me get my 1st job in sales at Bull Express and I consider it to be very instrumental in my success in sales and my business since then . If you need anyone to talk to I am always available 905-409-5195 . Norma and I will be keeping you in our Thoughts and prayers .
My thoughts and prayers are with you Kathryn, in hopes that they will provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead. My most heartfelt condolences.
Carlo
Kathryn, my deepest sympathy on your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Take care,
Nadine (Howorth) Madden
Kathryn, Eric and I want to let you know how sad we are about the loss of Mark. Although we did not know him, we can tell from what was said, that he was a very special person indeed. Our thoughts are with you and your family as you go through this very difficult time. Lean on your close friends and family to get you through this and remember you are not alone! Sincerely, Liisa & Eric Taverner
So very sorry to learn of Marks passing.
We were friends since high school and had many fond (and oh so interesting adventures) together.
Sorry we lost touch several years ago and sorry to hear of the medical issues Mark had endured in the past few years.
Was nice to finally meet Kathryn albeit under such sad circumstances but great to hear what wonderful times they had together and how much in love they were.
Nice too talking with Carl at length about his little brother and sharing some stories he was not aware of given their age gap and geographical differences.
Very nice man indeed and easy to see both Mark and their Mom and Dad in Carl’s appearance and demeanor.
I know we weren’t in touch with Mark for quite some time but none the less, a good friend sadly missed by both of us.
All the best to you Kathryn and family and friends.
John and Susan Macdonald
Kathryn, I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I do hope the time you spent with Mark was the best time ever. Our prayers are with you.
Paul and Margo
Kathryn, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I’m sending you my thoughts and prayers and wishing you comfort over this difficult time.
I am heartbroken to hear of Mark’s passing. We were best friends as kids growing up in Kingston. It was a rare weekend when we didn’t have a sleepover at the Nelson place on Collge St. or at my place. Mark and I loved to watch Monster Movie Matinee on Saturdays, and we were big fans of the Three Stooges, the Beatles and the Monkees. We got into lots of trouble together as kids and we enjoyed every minute of it. Mark’s parents treated me like one of the family and many of my best memories of being a kid include Mark and his family. My condolences to Mark’s family.
Alan
Kathryn, I, too, don’t look at Facebook very often so I somehow missed hearing this terrible news. I am so very sorry for your loss of your dear husband. He sounded like a terrific person. I hope you have plenty of love and support around you. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself. My most sincere condolences to you and your family.
I just heard this sad news. I went to public school with Mark in Kingston, Ont., we played in a band together along with Mark Haynes in 1966.Had a great time. When the family moved to Hamilton I went up for a visit and Mark and I went and saw Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels I think this was about 66 or 67. Thanks Mark for the fond memories