Mark David Leslie

Dear Maria,
It aches my heart to hear that Mark has passed. I just found out. I was so fortunate and grateful to have worked on the Board of Directors at River House with Mark. He was always dedicated to the mission, thoughtful in his words and actions and became a friend - someone I leaned and relied on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls at this trying and painful time. Wishing you peace.
With love, Gretchen.

I am so sorry for the loss of your loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 119:76.

Mark was the true definition of "friend". It was a pleasure to work along side him as well as enjoy personal time with him. Maria, he cherished you and the girls and I am so glad that I had the privilege to spend time with you guys on your recent trips to Florida. Mark will be sorely missed in the seafood industry, but especially by the hundreds of friends that he met along the way. Rest in peace my friend.

To Mark's Family, Please accept my deepest condolences. I worked for Mark and we butted heads often but it was always in the best interest of the task at hand. On my final day at High Liner Mark called me into his office. We discussed his situation and as one with a physical disability I admired his fight and desire to overcome. He then complemented me a very personal level and it was then that I saw another side of Mark. It was someone beyond the job who I never knew appreciated me and my efforts. For that I will always thank him and remember him fondly.

Mark and I shared lab benches at URI in Animal Physiology and then we unexpectedly met again at U Mass Dartmouth where we both went for grad school. Perhaps the happiest man I've ever known, he made everyone have a brighter day. We kept in touch mostly via Facebook where he continuously posted pictures of himself and Maria, and of course, both smiling. He was so very, very proud of his girls as well. A very good man who will be missed by many. Rest in Peace my friend.

Mark, going to miss the URI games with you. You fought the good fight, always the warrior with your family by your side. To Maria and the girls we share your loss and send our prayers.

So very sorry to hear of Marks passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at High Liner Foods. He was a great guy and will be missed by so many. My condolences to his family.

The news of Mark's passing is both stunning and heartbreaking. It seems like yesterday that my dad, Henry Curtis (who'd worked with Mark's dad at E.B), relayed that, while he attended John Sr's funeral last January, Mark mentioned to him that he'd gone to school with his daughter "Elizabeth", a name used for me only by teachers (and my dad when he was mad at me). So Mark must have heard that name a lot as he and I were classmates dating back to at least 4h Grade (Oswegatchie). We graduated together from Waterford High School, Class of 1975.

So, while it is true that Mark and I were not close friends growing up, I remember him as being VERY smart, but more important, as always having a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. I recall that he was a clever and somewhat mischievous child who grew up to be a real gentleman (even in High School!).

The last time I saw Mark was at our 15 year high school reunion in 1990, where he most lovingly and very proudly introduced me to his new bride (whom, as I recall, he met while working in South America). I now see (from obit) that he and his wife went on to have four daughters. This site's video tribute contains dozens and dozens of photos of Mark with his wife and daughters and, of course, he is smiling or laughing in all of them.

And goatee aside, Mark's picture shows that he'd barely aged in the past 30 years. Again, so sad to hear of his passing--way too young and with so much more of life to enjoy.

BethAnne Curtis (Classmate, WHS '75)

I am so sad to hear of Mark's passing. We were high school friends and although I hadn't seen him in many years I always smile when I think about Mark.
My sincere condolences to you all.
Maryann Mugavero Lidestri

To the Family of Mark:

Please accept my sincere condolences. Our late mothers worked together for many years in Groton in social services.

Thinking of you,

Adria Vail Cohen

I first met Mark when I was dating his brother, John (whom I would later marry) at their family home in Connecticut. The Leslie Clan were a rather subdued bunch, very "New England", i thought, but very nice. Then I met Mark, and realized I had met the "Captain" of every ship where he set foot. He had us all doing activities, organized everything in sight, and made sure we were wringing the most out of every day - even though maybe we just wanted to digest dinner! I don't think, in the years that followed, that I ever once saw him without a smile on his face or a spring in his step. I was happy to be his sister-in-law, and regretted not being able to spend more time with him (and the rest of the family) over the years, but I saw the girls growing up to be fabulous young women, and I saw Maria Elena coming into her own at his side. I saw a wonderful family headed by a kind "Captain", whom I will always remember fondly and with a smile, because Mark's energy and spirit will never dim in my mind. Blessings on all my beautiful nieces and my amazing sister-in-law, Maria Elena as they continue to make Mark proud. I know he is, and I know he will be. Much Love, Melanie

So sorry that Mark has past away. He was a great member of Catholic Charities North, board. It was an honor to know and work with him.

Mark was one of the first VPs I met at High Liner Foods. My first interaction with him intimidated me, but after getting to know him, I saw him for what he was-an intelligent, honest, demanding man-but in the best way. I enjoyed working with Mark over the years from Danvers to Malden to New Bedford and finally Portsmouth. He was a great asset to the company and a true family man. I appreciate everything he gave to this company. My heart goes out to his family on such a loss.

I just recently joined High Liner Foods and did not have the privilege of meeting Mark, but heard he was a great guy and one of the best. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Fair winds and following seas, Mark.

Mark and I met in Ballenia Ecuador. He was dating Maria at the time. Mark was a true optimist, always listened to comments but found a positive way forward. Through the life he and Maria created, he shined thru as a true friend. It was my good fortune to have known him, he will be sore missed but very positively remembered. God bless you Maria and keep you and your family. Paul and Betty Maugle

To Maria, and family,

I've known Mark for 25 years and was very fortunate to have worked for him early in my career. He was a great mentor, teacher, coach, role model, and friend to me and many of us at Fishery Products and High Liner Foods. He was hard working, energetic, fair, and one of the sharpest individuals I've ever met. Working for and with Mark made you better in so many ways.

Mark loved golf and for 20+ years was a regular participant in the FPI/HLF Thursday night golf league. We had lots of laughs and fun on and off the course, and I'll treasure those memories forever.

Most of all, Mark was a dedicated family man. I greatly admired his ability to balance all of life's demands, while making time for everyone.

Simply put, Mark was the best!

He departs us way too soon, leaving a void that we all now long to fill.

Mark Leslie , when I met him some 30 years ago while living in Guayaquil, he was this generous soul that made everyone around him feel welcome. I have truly appreciated the friendship we had through the years.
Our prayers and thoughts are with him and his whole family.

Our sincere condolences to family and friends.

Mark was a generous, kind soul who was loved by many and will be missed by many more. My condolence to you Mary Elena, family and friends.
Death leaves a heartache that words cannot heal, but love leaves a memory that no one can steal

Our dearest Maria ~
In these difficult days, please accept Mark's and my deepest and heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your beloved husband and friend.
We know how painful these hours are, and we can only hope that you and the girls find some comfort in the knowledge that Mark touched people's lives in such a remarkable way that he will be sorely missed by literally hundreds of colleagues and friends.
We all have such endearing stories to remember Mark by - and the kindness and honor with which he lead his life will forever be his legacy.

He lead a humble life, and in so doing, the respect and loyalty bestowed upon him must make his family incredibly proud and give you strength when you need it most.

We need not remunerate how much he loved and cherished his family.
You and the girls know this well; but to those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Mark, we always admired his deep love of you all. He was proud beyond words and the family you built together gave Mark tremendous joy. While cut short, His was a life well lived.

With much love,
Catherine and Mark

My sincere condolences. I went to Umass Dartmouth with mark