Mark Hamill passed away on December 18, 2015. He had a short but hard fight battle with cancer. Mark was born on May 7, 1950 in Syracuse, NY to Pauline and Louis Hamill. He graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Zoology, and transferred that degree to working at the Calgary Zoo for several years. Mark also thoroughly enjoyed educating people and sharing knowledge. He utilized that skill in his job as Park Interpreter at Fish Creek Provincial Park where he remained until he moved to British Columbia in the late 1990’s.
Mark had a special connection with animals, and he had an infectious sense of humor with people. He has passed that love of animals, his sense of humor and his sense of adventure to his two daughters Meghan and Nicole.
Mark was never afraid to try new things, and he had a thirst for knowledge and learning new skills. He was an avid reader, outdoorsman and boatsman. There was never a dull moment with Mark. Just when his daughters thought the end was near; whether being stalked by a wild cat on a hike, or stuck on a lake in a sailboat with no wind, he would pull a trick out of his custom XL hat and lead them to safety. This made their journey with him, vivid and memorable. He was hilarious, intelligent, strong willed and compassionate. We will remember him as a colorful person who marched to the beat of his own drum. His epitaph would read: I’ll do it my way, or the highway.
Mark was survived by his wife, Pauline Fox, his mother, Pauline Hamill, his sister, Maura Hamill, two daughters, Meghan Hamill, and Nicole Tremere, and five grandchildren.