Mark Stafford Reimer born on April 25, 1953 passed away on August 25, 2010 in Calgary, AB.
Left to mourn his passing are his two children, Jamie and Megan, both of Calgary, AB, his parents, (Al) Elmer & Joan Reimer (Winnipeg, MB) and his siblings Cynthia Melanie Eeson, (Calgary, AB) and Curt Reimer (Winnipeg, MB).
Mark Stafford Reimer was laid to rest in the Rosenort E.M. Cemetery on September 3, 2010.
The following tribute was written and read by his father Al Reimer, at the committal service:
My Loving Tribute to Mark
Mark was a wonderful son. As you all know, he had a remarkable mind and an open, innovative nature. He was always looking for new opportunities and challenges so he could make life more meaningful not only for himself but for others. He hated the very idea of working at a boring job for set hours every day. It’s not that he was lazy—far from it; he had a vigorous, active lifestyle, loved interacting with other people and enjoyed entertaining them, as he showed with his lengthy career as a musical and vocal performer. He started playing and singing with bands at an early age and later went on to become the lead singer and guitarist with the Sky High band, which performed not only in Winnipeg nightclubs but also went on tours to other Canadian cities. The last time I heard him perform live was in Calgary a few years ago, where I noted with pride that he had lost none of his skills. Mark was not only a talented guitarist and singer, but could spellbind audiences with clever, spontaneous jokes and comments when he stepped up to the mike between songs. The dynamics of this fascinating man never failed him.
Those dynamics were also evident in Mark’s diverse business career, which ranged all the way from selling insurance policies early on and becoming a financial advisor with his Uncle Syd, to many years later becoming a successful contractor in Calgary specializing in re-constructing older homes and doing other renovations. His first and most successful ownership of a business came when he bought a skate-sharpening shop in Charleswood and converted it into a popular sporting goods and bicycle store.
But Mark could never stay in one place for very long. After a while, he moved to Calgary with his family, where he worked at Cindy’s clothing factory for several years. His last business venture was a desktop commercial publishing business in Calgary. I always felt that Mark’s secret dream was to become an inventor of one kind or another, so that he could not only bring into existence things useful to others but also fully use the creative instincts he had been born with. But that dream never materialized, although he did invent a few useful things.
Then in 2004 came the motorbike accident that proved to be the sad harbinger of Mark’s final years. He was not badly injured, but the following year he spent several weeks in hospital and was told that his heart could only last “so long.” Shortly after that he was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a form of depression often suffered by soldiers who have been exposed to violent military action, and for which there is no cure. Although we can’t be sure, it was probably the motorbike accident that led to the Stress Disorder. He also suffered from diabetes in his closing years.
In spite of these health problems Mark never complained or lost his faith in life. He kept his depression under control, developed a gentler personality and became an ever more loving son. During the two trips he made here this summer, we were lucky enough to spend more time with him than we had in years, and felt ever closer to him.
So we thank you all for joining this family gathering in memory of Mark. And Megan and Jamie, for all the grief you feel right now, I’m sure you’ll be left with many happy memories of your deeply loyal dad.
Mark’s ashes will now rest in his grandfather’s grave, a resting place Mark would have accepted with respectful gratitude. Yes, it’s hard to believe that our six and a half-foot giant has now been reduced to a small urn of ashes, but the living Mark we knew so well will remain active in our memories for the rest of our lives.
Mark, my dear son, may you rest in heavenly peace forever.
Dad
View pictures of the Mark Reimer Memorial Service here.
So sorry to have just come across this information. Mark and I were friends in high school. He was also friends with my dad but I’m not sure how that came about. My condolences to his family.
Hi Cindy, Thanks for your kind words. Cheryl is in Calgary and I have lived in Ladysmith for pretty much 30 years. My Mom is in Victoria.
We certainly have had a rough year with family. My hearfelt condolences to you and Uncle Al in the passing of Auntie Joan. It certainly leaves an ache in our hearts even though we know they are in a wonderful place. Love to you.
Hello Cindy,
Such a beautiful tribute to your loving brother. Warm regards to Nadine and your family.
Siobhan
Siobhan, thank you for your kind words.How are you? I hope life is treating you well. I have many fond memories of our KO years and hope that you do too!
Dear Cindy Eeson,
I was actually trying to find you and up popped the memorial of your brother. I am so sad to read of your brother’s passing, much too young to leave this time. I hope you are well and I would love to reconnect again. I pray that you get my message, please send me a note if you do.
Once again I’m very sad for your loss, you were a good sister!
Jo
Cindy, I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful person. Wishing you all the best and hoping your world is as amazing as you are. Take care and blessings to you and yours.
Leah Edwards
Ottawa Ontario
Leah! I am ashamed to say that it has taken me this long to get on the Kehler site and look at the messages. This has been such a challenging year as I lost my Mom in April, as well as my cousin Marg last November and Aunt Louise in February. I hope all is well with you and your family and that life is treating you kindly!
I was so saddened to see that Mark had passed away. He was my ONLY friend at Westwood Collegiate – actually boyfriend – and made my life worthwhile at a time when I felt so alone. My family was AirForce and we had transferred to Wpg from KCMo and I started at Westwood in January. Mark was in Grade 11 and me, Grade 12. He was so kind, fun loving and made me feel so safe. I bumped into him several times later in my life and it was always so lovely to see him….and hear about his next adventure. I often wondered what MY life would have been like with him….he lives in my heart forever and I cherish my memories of that gentle giant. Healing to all who are hurting….with affection and sincerity, Barbara Sullivan/Ade
Barbara! How nice to hear from you.I remember you very well because you were the prettiest of all Mark’s highschool girlfriends. Mark still had a picture of the 2 of you all dressed up for your Grad. I found it recently in his shoebox of pictures. We were even on the lookout for you the last couple of Westwood reunions. Hope all is well with your life, wherever you are.
Cindy . What a wonderful loving tribute. My heart aches for you . It’s has been many years since we have seen each other and my memories of our family times together bring laughter and tears to my eyes. Much love to you and Uncle Al and Aunt Joan.
Hi Barb, how nice to hear from you! Last time we spoke I think you were in Calgary? Hope life is treating you well. It’s been a tough year for our family as we lost Mark, Marg, Aunty Louise and then my Mom, but we still find lots of reasons to celebrate as a family and carry on. All the best to you and please give my love to your Mom. Always had a soft spot for her!
Cindy….so sorry to hear about your brother. It is so very difficult when we lose a loved one. He sounds like he was a wonderful person and a smile will come into your heart when you think of him.
Hope all is well in your world
MaryJane Henderson-MacDonald
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Maryjane! How are you? It amazes me how many people find there way to this site. Thank you for your kind words. Hope all is good with you and yours.
Mark Stafford Reimer, aka Marvellous Marcus, was my younger brother. We were born just 12 months apart – our Mom would later claim that no one had ever told her about control – and we remained close for the next 57 years.
During childhood we were best friends. Our dad’s decision to go back to school after we were born and earn 3 university degrees back to back meant that we lived in numerous rented houses, usually a different one every year .So Mark and I relied heavily on each other for companionship as we adjusted to yet another new school and found new friends.
As the older (and bossy) sister I chose the games we played together and he gracefully accepted the part I assigned him. Except for the occasional raid on my Halloween candy stash – I could make my loot last until Christmas while his was gone by November 2 – he was the ideal sidekick.
By the time we entered high school he had grown a lot more independent and we developed different interests. I liked drama and yearbook production, he taught himself vocals and guitar. By the time he was 14 or 15 Mark could construct just about anything – and often did. He always had at least one project on the go in his small bedroom next to mine. He loved anything with an energy source, from model airplanes, to radios, to any and all moving vehicles, and learned to build them all. He even made his own guitar once! Later his building and adapting skills would expand to include computers, cottages, – you name it and he could make it from scratch or modify it to work even better. He drove a tractor before he knew how to read and taunted me for years because I failed my driver’s test twice when he could easily have passed it by the time he was 10! He never met a beach or a boulder, stretch of desert, or mountain trail that he couldn’t conquer on one of his numerous recreational creations.
Mark went from being often mistaken for my twin to a curly black haired giant of a guy who towered over me by a good 8 inches. He was handsome and (many say) charming and all the girls loved him. He was in high demand at local dances where he would good naturedly dance with the many girls who who asked him.
After high school Mark couldn’t wait to hit the road. He had grown restless with our conventional suburban life and yearned for adventure!Before long he had joined the rock and roll band “Sky High” and spent the next few years travelling western Canada as their lead singer and guitarist. We didn’t see much of each other during that time but eventually he tired of the lifestyle and came home to Winnipeg just in time to rent the attic of my first house and become my “mortgage helper”. It was a very old house and he was a very handy kind of guy so it really was a pretty sweet deal for me.
Over the next 10 years he married the lovely Nadine, became the proud Dad of Jamie and Megan, and tried out numerous occupations. Along with “adventure”, “change ” was to become a life theme .Blessed with a high IQ, a photographic memory, and a knack for smooth talking, he morphed from rock and roll star to caseworker for troubled teens (the only one ever hired without a university degree) to a financial advisor for Great West Life to the owner of a sporting goods store, a restaurant, and a garage. Mark, Nadine, Jamie and Megan eventually found their way to Calgary and again his timing was perfect. I had just started a business of my own and he was eager to help. Over the next decade he held several different positions with Kids Only, punctuated by numerous stints elsewhere when the spirit moved him. As always his large and curious mind sought out new challenges and he would throw himself wholeheartedly into his latest passion, among them “The Wee Fix-it Shop”, “Life Extensions” and “Great Ideas”.
The last 8 years of his life marked his final metamorphosis and, sadly, brought an end to his constant motion and love of adventure. A bad heart and advancing Diabetes meant that his more rugged pastimes involving dune buggies, motorbikes and 4 wheelers came to an end. In their place, however, he returned to his music and I, along with his many Calgary friends, enjoyed long Saturday afternoons at “The Eddie” and later “The Kingshead” where Marvellous Marcus focused on singing and playing the Blues. He was in his element as both performer and as the jam master but eventually even his music became too difficult for him and in the last year or two he would play only for himself or at the occasional gathering of friends or family.
In 2008 his job at the Drop in became his final project and he gave his duties here his very best effort. He would tell me with pride of the simple innovations he thought up and was so pleased when his efforts were recognised by either staff or clients. I want to thank the entire Drop In staff for the kindness and compassion they showed Mark. He couldn’t have worked in a more caring environment.
Last month my brother’s big heart finally gave up and he passed away peacefully at home. Mark was a very spiritual person and thanks to his gift of “second sight” claimed to have detailed knowledge of what awaits all of us in the afterlife. I have never doubted the vision of heaven that he described to me – he had read my mind too many times in the past for me to doubt his psychic abilities!
I know with certainty that he loved life but did not fear death. When that final moment came I believe he felt only excitement and joy that his last and best adventure was about to begin.
Dear Cindy,
I don’t know what lead me to this site…..I am so sorry to hear about Mark’s death. I remember how close you two were. I hope we can reconnect – it has been so long since we have been in touch.Love, Lise