A dear friend has died. Unexpectedly. Inexplicably. At an age at which one anticipates many more years yet to live. It came as a message on my cell phone with three words:
Mark is dead.
I feel that I have lost a loved one who was in many ways my moral compass. As the news rippled out from phones and the internet, the sadness in the air was palpable. It was numbing. As it fell to me to bear the news to some others, the whole experience grew surreal.
This is a photograph my son took of one of Mark’s many guitars.
So many adjectives and verbs, yet I am completely at a loss to describe this man, and what he meant to me and the others whose lives he touched. Mark was my first love and became one of my most dependable and generous friends.
Many people are hurting tonight. We can’t make sense of this. I turn my face upward towards the light, and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of sharing part of the journey with such a kind and gentle man.
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(c)GoshGusMusic/ascap
Musical Milliner 
Your pain is clear; may you gather and hold strength with your prayer and those who love you — both will encircle and all will guide,
Very Sorry to hear that. May his soul rest in peace!
I am sorry for your loss, be strong.
Thanks, NB. It had been a long year of being strong, and the New Year had portends of new resolve, clarity and renewal of purpose. You have been a strong, quiet & gentle presence, and it means so much to me. I’ve been reminding folks, distribute your attention and affection freely. “You never know what’s coming down.” Blessings to you and yours in this New Year, this new decade.
Sweet Vikas! He died knowing he was loved, I feel his presence strongly- he has not yet left this plane yet. Typically, he would want to be assured that we all make the transition. We are but visitors in the Creation. Mark was by nature a caregiver. Vikas- please remember to do those small but significant actions which let your friends and family, and the lost ones out on the streets, know that you care, every day.
Helena,
Thank you. You more than anyone know the pain of loss. I feel Mark. He is still here, and he’s going to hang here until we adjust. He will help us help the others.
I worked with Mark at Super D (CD/DVD distribution in Irvine) during 2008. He was a storyteller with a wry sense of humor who was always the first to pitch in $20 for a group birthday lunch when only $5 was needed as he knew it was needed to cover for those who couldn’t pay (or forgot!)He loved music, movies and his mom. It was a relief and sadness when she was gone, as she was no longer in pain. The last time I saw him was at the OC Fair in 2009 to see the Dave Rayburn Project. A nice generous man with multi layers of talent. RIP Mark.
All those things, and more. Lorraine. He was fond of his work family, and always concerned about the business and the direction of the industry.
The details you relate about birthday lunches- so typical. A few days before he passed, I got a “care package,” which was in addition to the Xmas package. It was a box some some promotional CD’s, and a dozen old comedy LP’s for my younger son, who eats that stuff up. So many stories- college radio & visiting A&R guys in the late 70’s-early 80’s. Oh, boy! Our lives are richer because of this nice man.