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Mark Smolak Obituary
Dec. 8, 1952 - Feb. 2, 2020
Mark E. Smolak of Portland passed away Feb. 2, 2020. He was born in Yonkers, N.Y., to the late Michael and Agnes (Balint) Smolak.
Mark was a retired Trial Attorney who spent his entire 40 year career in private practice. He was exceptional at preserving his family and cultural folklore through the lost art of the spoken word. In his younger years Mark enjoyed the wild rugged outdoors, hunting, fishing and mushroom foraging. Mark was deeply involved in wildlife preservation at The Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. Thursday afternoons were spent telling stories over lunch with his fellow environmental preservationists.
Survivors include his brother, Mike Smolak; sister, Karen Stein; nephew, Raam MacDonald; niece, Carley Smolak; and his grandniece, Sydney MacDonald.
Contributions in Mark's memory may be made to The Order of The Antelope Foundation, P.O. Box 1071, Lakeview, OR 97630.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Petra Gardenhire
May 22, 2023
I had the pleasure of meeting Mark many years ago. Like many I had a need for an attorney and Mark fit the bill! He was smart, charismatic, and had a swagger that made me question whether he had a bit of my heritage in him (African American) he just knew how to move in the area of law and he didn´t apologize for his ability to be ferocious when necessary! I will always be grateful for the friendship we established over the years. He was truly the best!
Frank Podlaski
December 5, 2021
I´m sad and sorry, first, to have lost contact. We go back a long way (St Mary´s elementary school). You were always at the top of the class. I was not close behind. We weren´t inseparable friends but did link up to experience the magic that was Woodstock. Career and family took you to Oregon. We saw you on your visits back but then new lives and family completed the separation. With so many years past, you are not the first of us to take leave but are etched in the happy memories of those of us left behind
Frank Podlaski
Rockland County NY
Bohdan Pylypiw
April 13, 2020
I knew Mark Smolak since we attended Cardinal Hayes H.S. in the Bronx, New York. What I liked about him was his smile and his sense of humor and his independence. We just hit it off. I am of Ukrainian background and he seemed interested in that since Smolak is an Eastern European name. I was fortunate to have been in the Portland area years ago and I looked him up. We spent time together and recalled the good old days. I have a friend in the area and I mentioned Mark in case he needed a lawyer. He sent me his obituary. RIP my friend.
Bo Henderson
February 28, 2020
thank you for being there for some of the most monumental events in my life. May you rest easy
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Randy Poff
February 24, 2020
Gives new meaning to his oft-repeated SLINK declaration, "We are now leaving the jurisdiction!" 'eh?
Smo in his element
February 24, 2020
From a happier time
Jennifer Susanka
February 23, 2020
Happy trails Smo. Much love always and forever. You lived life on your own terms.
chris page
February 19, 2020
Though I only saw you once a year for a while, I can hear now that gravely voice imparting the wisdom as only you could get away with... RIP
February 19, 2020
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Rest in peace.
Dan Maloney
Alexander Hamalian
February 18, 2020
RIP old man. Thanks for the good times and the great memories. Alex Hamalian
February 16, 2020
Farewell to an old amigo. We shared the law and a lot of laughs through the years. I will miss you..RIP old friendChip Lazenby
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