MARK DRAKE

1935 – 2025 Mark died in the early hours of May 13th at Hawkesbury General Hospital, just a few months shy of his 90th birthday. He leaves his wife, Anne; sister, Celia; children, Elizabeth and Oliver; grandchildren, Finlay, Robin, Eliza, and Thomas; among many other family members and friends who loved him in the UK, US, and beyond. Mark was born and educated in the UK (Westminster/Oxford), gaining an honours degree in languages. He completed his British national service in 1955, and went on to work in the UK, Singapore, India, and eventually Belgium, where he met Anne in 1973. They married in 1974 and moved with their children in 1979 to Hudson, Quebec, for a job opportunity in Montreal. The 5-year plan turned into over 45 years in the same family home, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last summer. Though British to a fault, Mark and Anne never envisioned moving away from their home base of Hudson. Here was a community they could get stuck into - so many volunteering opportunities and people to meet! In addition to a successful corporate career in manufacturing and exporting, Mark had many other passions. He enjoyed gardening, golf, and tennis, and loved the theatre, opera, and classical music - all causes which he supported with his time and money whenever he could. He was engaged in various community groups in Hudson and worked hard to help many grass-roots cultural ventures flourish. In 2012, he received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal for his volunteer service. He loved to travel and plan the minute details of every trip. So many of us remember the twinkle in his eye, his cheeky sense of humour, and of course his ability to get things done! Mark was appreciated and respected by so many; a fixture at many gatherings and events, even into his final years undergoing regular dialysis, still showing up and making the best of it. He was a people connector - through networking, parties, celebrations, and a drive to get involved. He encouraged those around him to be curious and always learning. Opinionated? Yes. A bit conservative? Yes. But always up for a discussion, maybe even agreeing to disagree, and always making time to share a sherry or coffee. Mark may not have seen eye to eye with everyone, but he was a gentleman, an encouraging team player, and he was fun to be around. He had a great sense of humour, a quality he also valued in others. He received so many visitors during his final weeks in palliative care, and it was beautiful to have friends tell stories, sharing their love and appreciation. Quite a few talked about how much he did and achieved, how quiet he was about it, and how much they will miss him. A service will be held at St. Mary's Church in Hudson, QC, at 2 p.m., on September 13, 2025, followed by a gathering at the Hudson Creative Hub. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. James church, the Salvation Army, or Le Nichoir in Hudson.