Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Mark GOERTZ Obituary
GOERTZ, Mark 54, suddenly of an unknown cause on July 5, 2010 in London, Ontario where he had begun his pre-retirement leave. Survived by his mother Irena Niemiec and her husband Stan, his sister Joanna Truant, brother-in-law Greg, Stan's son Mark Niemiec and niece Julia. Also deeply mourned by his partner Marilyn. Predeceased by father, Aleksander Goertz. He leaves behind life-long friends in Ontario; most deeply treasured friends in British Columbia; and highly regarded long-time and new colleagues at Vancouver Community College. He took joy and pleasure in the nine young people who called him ""Uncle"". He will be deeply missed for the unique joys shared with each person who knew him. Mark spent over 20 years working as a librarian at VCC. He graduated from the University of Windsor with a BC in Communication Studies (1989) and a MLIS from UBC (1990). In the past few years he was responsible for collection development and liaising with the Music, CF and CCA departments. Mark was an excellent and patient teacher and a dedicated librarian. Mark was also a long time supporter of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival - he participated as a volunteer and staff member, and as an enthusiastic audience member for many years. Everyone who was fortunate enough to be a part of Mark's life knows how deeply thoughtful and big-hearted he was, as well as being a reliable source of a good laugh and many great stories. A celebration of Mark's life will be held at the Tunstall Bay Club on Bowen Island on September 12. Donations in his memory can be made to Hope in Shadows Inc., 678 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC, V6A 1R1 ( www.hopeinshadows.com ).
View All Photos
Add Photos to Memorial
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Ken Kwong
August 5, 2010
Will and I have been Mark's next door neighbor
for the past five years at The Simon Lofts Building in Vancouver's west side.We have, since first meeting Mark, been honored to know him and have him as our neighbor and also friend. We were so incredibly happy to see how Mark's life brought him on a marvelous and exciting
journey after he met Marilyn in London Ontario.
We would notice the glow of joy on his face as he talked about her and their time spent together as well as the sense of excitement in his words. He was filled with love and it definitely radiated to others. How nice it was to see
such a good person like Mark be able to experience the
real joys of life...to find love and to be loved.
Having Mark be a part of our life was such a gift and sharing in his happiness and hopes of a promising future inspired Will and I and made us grateful.
We were so saddened to hear of Mark's unexpected passing so shortly after following his dreams to be with Marilyn. We feel for all of those people that have played such an important role in Mark's life. We know that they are deeply shocked,as we are still and missing him so very much. Everyone from Marilyn, his love of life, to his immediate family,
friends and neighbors, colleagues at work and to everyone else that Mark has touched in
his special ways. We hope you find the love and support
of one another as we continue to grieve Mark's loss.
Will and I will really miss his kindred spirit,
smart and compassionate soul, and his big joyous laughter. The void he has left will always be remembered.
We hope you are resting in peace Mark. We love you and miss you dearly!
Ken Kwong and William Mcghie
Sarah Jane Gilmour
August 5, 2010
My condolences go out to Mark's family, his partner Marilyn, and all
his friends whose lives have been enriched by him over the years.
I had the pleasure of knowing Mark when he was a young man, full of
optimism and dreams for his life ahead. He seemed to me wise for his
years, indeed a remarkable person with more insight than one might
expect from a person in his 20s.
We kept in touch over the next 30 or
more years, sometimes by letter, later by email, and sometimes by
phone, when he could always make me laugh and cheer me up when I was
down. We managed to meet in person a couple of times in recent years,
but although our correspondence was intermittent Mark will always have
a special place in my heart.
I will miss knowing that Mark is no longer just a phone call away. I
miss him for myself, for those who loved him (and love him still) and will not see him again
except in their memories, and for the chapter in his life that he
never got to live.
Mark was a big influence in my life, was instrumental in the direction it took, and will never be forgotten.
chardon labrie
August 3, 2010
i will miss my neighbour and friend mark goertz.
we met over 11 years ago when we moved into our building here on west 22 avenue. he was suite 305..while i have suite 302.
regularly we would scare each other when one or the other of us was getting on or off the elevator here in the building.
over the years we shared music, scotch, politics, the fear of special assessments on our condos, the #17 oak and lots of laughs....and what a laugh he had!
i know how much mark was looking forward to this new chapter in his life with marilyn. as much as he loved his adopted home here in vancouver, he must have loved her even more.
i hope wherever he is, there is a folk festival to rival the one he supported here. rock on mark
chardon labrie
Sheila Allan
August 1, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of Mark's passing. Condolences to the family and Marilyn from Sheila, Scott and family from Vancouver.
I remember Mark warmly, can still see his smile and hear his voice. In 1985 Mark sat for me as I painted his portrait. He was part of our family for a while as he lived with my sister Doreen. Our thoughts are with you.
Sheila
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Make a Donation
in Mark GOERTZ's name
How to support Mark's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Mark GOERTZ's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
