Mark Wade

Mark Aaron Wade, 62, passed away peacefully on February 25. He was lovingly surrounded by family during this most challenging time.
A funeral mass was held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Saturday, March 9th at 11AM.
Mark was born November 25, 1961, to Gordon and Phyllis (Ramsey) Wade. He grew up loving all types of sports and music. Mark began learning the accordion at an early age, played competitively through his teenage years, and entertained with his favorite tunes into adulthood.
A Milwaukie High School graduate, Mark played football and golf and enjoyed singing with the choir and the Pony Pipers. Baseball was a great love which he pursued during summer season and excelled in as a pitcher. He attended Portland State University, pursuing studies in business and human resources.
Mark met the love of his life, Cathy Benton, at PSU in 1983 and they married a year later on July 14, 1984. They soon moved to the Seattle area for a time where they started a family and Mark became an avid Mariners fan.
Business studies led Mark to positions in management, human resources, and fund development. He ultimately found his calling as a real estate broker. In this work Mark applied the same ethics, care and consideration for people and relationships that he exhibited in every area of his life.
Mark was incredibly proud of his three children, whom he loved dearly and spent much time coaching their respective sports teams, always checking out books from the library and going to his own training clinics so that he could better support, not only the physical ability of every child on their teams, but also their mental fortitude, perseverance, and spirit. While he coached some of their teams to recognized championships, his favorite victories were those of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
Singing in the church choir (CTK and Holy Family) and golfing with friends and his adult children brought Mark great joy. He cheered on the Seahawks, listened daily to Dave Ramsey, and relished in a good milkshake. Mark was an exceptional travel and life partner, always initiating or being open to the next adventure.
There was never one activity that defined Mark more than others, but his smile, fierce loyalty, and willingness to step into every challenge set him apart in his relationships. Even in the most challenging times, he was grateful to God for all of the blessings he had and delighted especially in meeting his grandchildren. Not a day went by when he didn't share a song, a dad joke, and his incredible capacity for love.
We are so grateful for the strength, kindness, and compassion that he demonstrated day-in and day-out.
"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." ~ St. Mother Teresa
Mark is survived by his wife, Cathy, children Andrew Wade and wife Hailey, Amanda Wade, and Samuel Wade and wife Alicia, grandchildren Eliza, Lily, and Callum, and mother Phyllis Wade. He was preceded in death by his father L. Gordon Wade.
Memorial contributions can be made in his name to St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 42157
Portland, OR 97242-0157 or https://www.svdppdx.org/make-a-donation.