Sunday, November 26, 2017
Dear Maryanne: we never met but like Peter, I too was a fraternity brother of Mark and I just learned of his passing. I am so very sorry for your loss. I last saw Mark shortly before he left for the Marines. I always worried about him during his enlistment as he went in at a very fraught time during that awful, wasteful war. I later learned that he survived those years and was happily back in the USA with you. One thing I wanted to share with you: Mark was the kindest person I had ever met at Hunter. Perhaps he viewed me as a puppy (I was very young, 16, when wefirst met and he showed me his kindness.) During our fraternity's hell night Mark made a point of putting his arm over my shoulder, told me not to worry, all will be fine and he'd make sure I'd survive and be OK. I believe we both teared up, smiled and got on with the crazy, final festivities. For some reason, in a lifetime of forgotten memories I still remember that one. Such genuine kindness and empathy for a very young teenager....My very best, Gary
