Mark John Watkins
Age 46
Mark John Watkins, 46, of State Route 170, East Liverpool, Ohio died Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at home following a lengthy illness. He was born in Homestead, PA on September 15, 1954, a son of the late John Watkins and Dorothy Jean Fawcett Watkins.
Mr. Watkins moved to East Liverpool from Sewickly, PA in 1994. He was a data base administrator for Dick’s Sporting Goods. He was a graduate of McGuffey High School in Claysville, PA and recently received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources from Geneva College. Mr. Watkins was a member of the Windy Gap Presbyterian Church in West Finley, PA, was an avid fisherman and played bass & lead guitar as well as key board in various bands.
He is survived by his wife, Jenifer Blomquist Watkins, whom he married July 2, 1989; two sons: Benjamin R. Scott and his wife, Julie Griffith of New Brighton, PA & Nathan O. Scott of Pittsburgh, PA; a brother: Daniel William Watkins and his wife, Virginia Mack of Cecil, PA ; a sister, Mary Annette Watkins Swart and her husband Ronald of West Finley, PA; two grandaughters: Kathryn Suzanne Scott and Emma Margaret Scott; one niece and four nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at the residence on Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 3:00 in the afternoon with Monsignor William Connell of Holy Family Parish in Poland, OH officiating.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44512.
The Calcutta Chapel of the Martin MacLean Altmeyer Funeral Homes are handling the arrangements.
Growing up, I looked up to my cousin, but he never looked down at me. Instead, he saw me, listened to me, and spent time with me. In fact, he probably taught me some things a couple of years too early. I admired him when I was a child. I admired him and cherished him in my adulthood.
When his mother was dying, I went to visit her. Somehow, the topic of conversation turned to Mark. She asked me to pray for him…that his life would be fulfilling, happy, that he would find a path, a way. He did…..it was Jen, Ben, and Nathan. Never did I see Mark so happy, so fulfilled than his time on earth with them. Aunt Dot would have been pleased.
When I married and had children, Mark touched their lives also. His sincere interest, his caring ways, his easy style oozed through the cracks at every family gathering. His mannerisms and encouragement touched us all.
Mark shined, I mean he really shined. His torch was so bright, it will shine in my heart forever. I will miss his big, big hugs, his smile, his laugh, and yes, his crazy shirts. I will miss Mark…may the Lord God hold him tight….may the angels sing to his music….may his spirit soar.
A good man with a big heart, and an open mind has been lost. He will be missed by many. And yes; he is now in a better place. No more pain..!! MARK – now you’re up there jamming with the likes of SRV & John Lee Hooker. ROCK ON MY FRIEND….!!!!
Below is the tribute I will read at Mark’s memorial service on Sunday.
What an incredible thing to have to do ñ try in a few minutes to sum up the life of someone who was such an inspiration to me in so many ways. I had to write this because I knew I would never remember everything I want to say. I met Mark on the same night Jenifer did. At a fun, crazy, wonderful Halloween party that turned out to be a turning point in both of their lives. Little did I know that Mark would come to be such a part of Nickís and my life, let alone Jeniferís.
There are so many things that I could say and ways in which I could honor Mark ñ we could be here all night. But, several that come to mindÖ
· Being asked to stand for Jen and Mark at their beautiful wedding on the farm, and Nick and I making more fruit salad than all of us could have eaten in a year
· Getting to know and love Markís mom Dottie, spending time with her before she died and learning what it was that made Mark, ìMarkî and having her ask Nick and I to always be his friend. That wasnít too hard, Dottie.
· More laughs than I can ever remember ñ it was seldom that Mark did not have a smile on his face ñ I always thought it was just for me, and came to find out that Mark showed that love to everyone. It still made me feel special anyway.
· How proud I was of him when he decided to go back to school at Geneva after I hounded him about it. And then this year ñ at long last – graduation!
· Then – one special night in my life when I had been learning to play the five string banjo with Markís encouragement and being ìallowedî to play at a party at my condo with my teacher, Charlie McVay, Charlieís girlfriend on bass, and Mark ñ winking at me when he knew I was terrified and mouthing the words ìYouíre doing great!î
Most of all, I will miss my gigantic ìMark hugsî that completely enveloped you and were given freely and with so much love.
I donít know if Mark ever really knew how much people cared about him. I know that when I heard or hear music, he is one of the people who always come into my mind and heart. He taught me to be open to new music without losing my love for the old. When I would hear ìwind beneath my wingsî I always thought of Mark as my hero because of how he battled through these last years. So I would like to say these things to Mark today from one of my favorite songs by Sarah McLaughlin, In the Arms of the Angel.
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
Thereís always some reason
To feel not good enough
And itís hard at the end of the day
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you feel
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
Youíre in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
Nick and I love you Mark. Stay with the angels always.
Dear Jenifer, Our prayers are with you and your family. May your fondest memories sustain you and bring you peace. Sincerely, Judith and Gregory
Every time I saw Mark at work he was smiling. He made you realize what was important by that smile and that’s how I will remember him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
I will miss my cousin greatly, but I know he’s with the Lord now. I pray that their memories of him sustain Jen, Mary, and Dan. I know that he would want us all to go on with our fond memories of him. I only wish I had seen more of him and his Hawaiian shirts. I’ll miss you, Big Cuz!
I’ll miss his humor, musical talent, guidance, concern, unselfishness and the security his presence brought. I miss you terribly already Mark but feel your spirit here with us.
My heart goes out to Jen and their family. I’ll always remember him as a true friend and brother.
Jen,
I just want to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
I truly don’t believe there are any words to say.
Mark was an amazing person of absolute kindness. My prayers are with you.
Mark had a great attitude toward life. He always had something nice to say, every day was a great day for him. Who could ever forget those Hawaiian shirts! If more people were like Mark, this world would be a much better place. I will always remember his love of all things Celtic and those great Summer Solstice parties he threw. He will be missed. All the best to his family.
Mark has a special place in my heart because of his congeniality, his smile, his desire for knowledge, his wit, and his love of music. Mark, we will sorely miss you.
Mark was so much older than I was. We really weren’t very close growing up through the years. It wasn’t until about 6 months ago that we started emailing one another. He encouraged me to spread my wings and fly when I asked him for his thoughts on a new job opportunity. You see, I always had a poor self-image. Little did Mark know how often I would replay our conversation for the courage to keep moving forward. He helped me to see myself in a whole new way. Unique. I look forward to the great reunion we will have one day soon.
mark will be greatly missed. he is well liked and loved by all. i remember him on his first birthday. he got a piano from gram Watkins. he was thrilled.
My condolences to all of the Watkins family. Mark was a great guy and will be missed by all that knew him. The world will be a little less jovial without him. You will be missed, Blindog, but not forgotten.
My deepest condolences to Jen and all family members. Mark was one of the first people I worked with at Dick’s. I learned so much from him – both professionally and personally. I will miss his unique sense of humor. There is no other like him. As much as I will miss him, I am happy that he is at peace now and in a better place.
My deepest sympathies to Mark’s family and friends. I will miss Mark’s friendliness and wonderful personality. Truly he will be missed by all those who had the opportunity to know him.
My deepest sympathies to Mark’s family. He was a wonderful man who always made people smile. He had a great sense of humor and a big heart,always willing to help those in need. I will never forget his smile or his Hawaiian shirts.
My deepest sympathies to Mark’s wife and family. I will miss Mark’s wonderful sense of humor and will always think of him every time I see a Hawaiian shirt.
My deepest sympathy to Jen and family. I will miss Mark’s humor, his wit, his shirts, the solstice parties, his music, swapping fishing stories and most of all his friendship.
My deepest sympathy.
Mark was a great guy.
He will be missed.
My prayers are with you and your family
Our deepest sympathies to the Watkins family. It was a pleasure knowing Mark when we worked together at Dick’s Sporting Goods. We could always look to Mark for a smile. He will be greatly missed.
With his unfailing cheer and genuine interest in others, Mark became a real pillar at Dick’s. He got things done, made things happen, and addressed his work quickly, capably, and happily. You knew that, without a doubt, you could rely upon him. That counts for a lot, I believe, something to which we all can aspire. Mark leaves friends and colleagues missing him sorely. I trust, all the same, that he’s now in a far better place! My condolences to Mark’s family.