TRIBUTE TO GROOVLSTK - R.I.P. MARK

[MandM]

Dear Forum members,


Many of you would not remember me as I haven't been an active member on here for a decade or so.


Today I have come back to let you all know that my dear friend Mark, or groovlstk as he was known here passed away on 3rd July after his 14 months' battle with cancer.


I've met him on this board in April 2005 and since then he became a very close friend. Many of you remember him for his witty comments, great sense of humor and fab writing style. Above all he was the kindest, selfless and most caring human being I've ever met.


I am very grateful to Dan and this board where I met this wonderful person. It was a blessing to have such a friend in my life and I will miss him terribly.


P.S. If admin could move the post to RWD Announcements I would be very grateful.

[krimster2]

i remember him
that sucks

[Hammer2722]

I greatly enjoyed reading his trip reports. A pleasure to read. R.I.P.

[BillyB]

I remember Groove too and enjoyed his postings. He past away young. I believe he's was in his mid 50's. I checked his last post which was done in 2015 and I'll repost below.

"Bill, thanks for the PM and my apologies to everyone (especially you old farts) for not responding sooner. My wife and I will pass the 10-year mark next year, the devil in me is planning a trip to Vegas to renew our vows (we were married hastily at some fly-by-night wedding chapel in a strip mall. I think it would be kind of cool to return there, if it still exists). We are doing great, we have a daughter who will be 4 in June. My wife has a solid career now and will likely out-earn me sometime in the next few years. She teases me about it until I start talking about how eager I am to spend her extra baksheesh

She is still the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I sometimes wonder what she's doing with a shmuck like me. We're planning a vacay in Russia this summer, I haven't been back since 2006, which is a bit embarrassing.

I hear from my pal Simoni/Michaelangelo from time to time, he also has a young daughter and is very happy. My family is the center of my universe and I don't have time or inclination for much else, so my apologies for not keeping up with events here.

I'm sure the dating landscape has changed in ways that I can't even imagine, but the one piece of advice I will stand by forever is to find someone who truly loves you. I made a lot of mistakes, you can see for yourself if my old TRs are still in the archives, but the one thing I did right is I found someone who was crazy about me. "

[MandM]

He was 54.


He was amazing husband and father and was totally dedicated to his family.

[2tallbill]

i remember him
that sucks

I remember all his trip reports and I would go back and read them again and again.

[krimster2]

"He was amazing husband and father and was totally dedicated to his family."

the devastation that death wrecks on the living
is sometimes worse than what it does to the dead

a life remembered was a life worth living
and whatever good that was within him, is now within his children

we will all one day walk through the valley of death

[Boethius]

I'm very sorry to read of Mark's passing.  He seemed to be a sincere individual, devoted to his daughter.

[myrddin]

I knew groovlstk from his posts, which I remember well from my early days on RWD.

He was part of the OG here who inspired me to actually get on a plane.

His attitude and style showed through, and will be missed.

[viking]

OMG. I remember Mark very well. I was friends with him and his wife for a few years before we drifted in different directions. He helped me a lot on my own journeys and and I in his. We commiserated on any number of different things.I remember meeting his beautiful wife for the first time in NY., after she first arrived. They were meant for each other. I am deeply saddened by this news. I may still have his number. I will reach out.

[pitbull]

Thank you MandM for posting. Mark was an amazing father, friend, husband and one of the best human beings I've ever met. He was such a talented writer as well!
He will be deeply missed by many.

[GQBlues]

An associate mentioned a thread here for Mark. The guy is a class act. Very sad to see a good man leave so soon.

Rest gently in peace, man!

And may all your beloved be always surrounded by grace, love and happiness moving forward.