December 11, 1970 - February 11, 2015
It is with great sadness that our family announces the death of our beloved son Mark, at the age of 44. Mark was originally from Chamberlain Settlement (suburb of Bathurst), New Brunswick.
Mark died in an avalanche during a Canadian Armed Forces training mission in The Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park on a very challenging and sought-after ice climb named "Polar Circus".
Mark was the son of Maurice Salesse (Melita) of Bathurst, N.B., and Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Quinn (Robert Brady), of Moncton, N.B. - He will be greatly missed by his half-sister Triscia Raven (Bill) from Ore-Medonte, Ontario. He was predeceased by an infant sister, Micheline Yvonne.
He was dearly loved, and will be greatly missed, by his aunts and uncles: George & Josie Quinn of Montreal, Qc; Anne Quinn of Moncton, N.B.; Helene (the late Don) Manuel of Bathurst, N.B.; John Quinn of Lakeville, N.B.; Arthur & Hilda Quinn of Quebec; Bob & Laura Quinn of Salisbury, N.B.; and his cousins: Erik Quinn, Keith (Jenn) Manuel, Craig (Serenia) Manuel, Natalie (Kirby) Manuel-Doucette, Adam (Diana) Quinn, Kendel Quinn (Marc Landry), Megan Archambault-Quinn, Thomas Quinn and Bentley Quinn.
Mark served in the Canadian Armed Forces with honour and distinction. He enrolled in the Governor General's Foot Guards, a Reserve Infantry Unit in 1989 and served on Parliament Hill, and at the Governor General’s Manor at Ottawa, in the summer of 1990. In October 1990, Mark moved to Vancouver and enrolled in the British Columbia Regiment (Duke Of Connaught's Own) and served until 1998. He was deployed, as a Peacekeeper, to Croatia on OP Harmony and achieved the rank of Master Corporal; he later received the Governor General’s Medal of Bravery for his mission there. Mark transferred to the Regular Forces and joined the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he served with distinction. He completed deployments in the Central African Republic and in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 2004 he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a SARTECH (Search and Rescue Technician) and underwent rigorous selection. Mark graduated from CFSSAR in June 2005. Mark's posting included 442 Squadron in Comox, BC, 444 Combat Support Squadron in Goose Bay, Labrador and finally 435 Squadron Transport and Rescue Squadron in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He received a Land Force Western Area Commanders Commendation for his deployment in the Central African Republic.
A Military Funeral was held at Comox, British Columbia at 2:00pm on Saturday February 28, 2015 at CFB Comox. Preceding the commencement of the Funeral, there was a vehicle procession for designated participants from the Comox Valley Funeral Home at 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay, BC. Viewing was held from 3.00pm until 6.00pm on February 27, 2015.
On March 3rd, Mark's service will take place in Bathurst, New Brunswick.
The body rested at Elhatton's Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst, N.B. on Tuesday March 3, 2015 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The funeral mass was held at 1 pm at Holy Family Church, 430 St. Peter's Avenue, Bathurst, NB.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, The War Amps of Canada, or The Memory Project.