Mark Walter Holian

1940 - 2019

Mark Walter Holian - March 10, 1940 - September 17, 2019. Mark Walter Holian revved his beloved motorcycle for the last time at his home on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at age 79 after a protracted illness. He left many friends, tenants and car repair customers in the Holy Cross area of New Orleans. Mark was born in Poland to Ukrainian exiles Walter Holian and Marie Goral Holian, who fled again with their young son to the U.S., where they settled in a large Ukrainian immigrant community in Melrose, Minnesota. In the 1970s Mark moved to New Orleans and made the city his home, establishing a Volkswagen car and van repair business in Holy Cross and acquiring rental property. His lifelong passion for VWs and BMW motorcycles was fulfilled there in a semi-rural setting with stray chickens and cats. Fiercely independent, he stayed through the flood following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, repairing and rebuilding what was lost. He appeared in several books about the survivors of that catastrophe. A contrarian by nature, Mark loved making puns and penning short poems for friends. He considered the late Arnold Ecklund of New Orleans his mentor and enjoyed many long distance motor cycle group rides with him. He was a friend of the Unitarian-Universalists, the Secular Humanists and other spiritual groups. And he was always very proud of his Ukrainian heritage. He is survived by devoted longtime friend and neighbor Mary Patsy Story; a son, Andy Valentine Pool of Covington, Louisiana; and beloved cousins, including Ludmilla Prestwich of California and Alec Dyki of Sutton, Surrey, UK. Special thanks to those who provided aid and comfort to Mark during his last months and days: Wayne and Laura Smith; Stefanie Schlatter; John Greg Geissert; caregivers Delia Labarre, Brittany Miller, and Jessica "Hunter" Mortimer; Dr. Gardy Valentin; Dave Capasso; and Hollis Shepherd. Special thanks also to Reverend Darcy Roake. A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. at Community Church Unitarian-Universalist, 6690 Fleur de Lis Dr., N.O. 70124. Please bring wild flowers and stories about the unique person Mark was.